The match between PVF-CAND and Binh Phuoc in round 19 of the National First Division taking place at 6:00 p.m. this afternoon, May 17 is considered the decisive match in the top race of the tournament.
Cong Phuong and his teammates at Binh Phuoc club are facing the opportunity to get closer to the play-off match to win a ticket to play in the V.League next season if they win all 3 points against the opponent chasing them right behind them. Currently, Binh Phuoc has 40 points after 17 rounds, 7 points more than PVF-CAND but has played 1 more match. Meanwhile, the season will end with only 3 more rounds.
Therefore, if they defeat PVF-CAND in this afternoon's match, Binh Phuoc will certainly be above this opponent because the gap at that time was 10 points, and PVF-CAND only has 3 matches (maximum 9 points) left before the end of the season.
Binh Phuoc's expectations at this time are on the feet of striker Cong Phuong, their best striker of this year's season. Currently, the striker from Nghe An has scored 7 goals for Binh Phuoc club, and is also leading the list of top scorers in the 2024-2025 National First Division. In particular, in difficult times, Cong Phuong spoke up at the right time to bring home important goals, opening up landmark victories, helping Binh Phuoc maintain its ranking to get closer to the race for a place to play in the V.League next season.
Of course, winning and pocketing 3 points against PVF-CAND is the goal that Cong Phuong and his teammates are aiming for to soon have the best preparation for the play-off match for promotion.
However, the draw is also acceptable for coach Huynh Quoc Anh and his team, because if they only win 1 point, the 7-point gap with PVF-CAND will still be maintained. Although Binh Phuoc has only 2 matches left to play (PVF-CAND has 3 matches left to play), they will face Long An, a team that is considered inferior and is currently in the secondary position. The decision to decide their ranking in this year's tournament is still in Binh Phuoc's hands.
