According to the announcement from Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF), coach Nguyen Viet Thang of Phu Dong Ninh Binh club will not be allowed to take up the duties in round 19 of the 2024-2025 National First Division after receiving all 3 yellow cards. The third yellow card was withdrawn in the 41st minute in the 1-0 win over PVF-CAND in round 18.
Previously, coach Viet Thang had been warned twice by the referee for his reaction. According to the tournament regulations, when a coaching staff member or player receives 3 yellow cards, he will be suspended from coaching in the next match.
Not only losing the head coach, Phu Dong Ninh Binh also lacks another member of the coaching staff, physical therapist Nguyen Van Khanh, due to being dismissed from the competition after the final whistle for inappropriate behavior.
Despite winning the minimal victory to maintain the top spot, Phu Dong Ninh Binh had to pay the price with 2 penalties for the coaching staff. The match was full of tension, especially in the final minutes when the away team PVF-CAND raised their formation to find an equalizer.
After the match, PVF-CAND coach Thach Bao Khanh even criticized the home team's playing style: "We are champions, there is no way to do that". This move made the atmosphere even hotter.
This defeat caused PVF-CAND to be 7 points behind the 2nd-placed team Truong Tuoi Binh Phuoc in the race for a play-off spot to be promoted to V.League. Meanwhile, Phu Dong Ninh Binh continued to show impressive form with an unbeaten streak of 15 wins and 1 draw.
With 46 points and a 6-point gap compared to the chasing team, Phu Dong Ninh Binh is getting very close to the 2024-2025 First Division championship and a place in the 2025-2026 V.League.
