At the beginning of the 2025-2026 National First Division season, Dong Nai fresh School is considered one of the leading candidates for promotion. However, the Southeast team could not get all 3 points when Ho Chi Minh City held them to a 2-2 draw at Binh Phuoc Stadium on the evening of September 20.
With great ambition, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai has significantly increased its force by bringing in many experienced faces, notably the trio of midfielders Minh Vuong, Xuan Truong and Brazilian foreign player Alex Sandro. Leading the team is coach Nguyen Viet Thang. However, captain Cong Phuong continued to be absent, affecting the strength of the attack.
In the first half, the game was tight. Truong Tuoi Dong Nai created 2 clear opportunities but Le Thanh Binh and Minh Vuong themselves could not convert them into goals. It was not until the second half that the atmosphere on the field was really exciting with consecutive goals.
In the 54th minute, from Minh Vuong's corner kick, striker Luu Tu Nhan headed the ball to open the score for the home team.
Ho Chi Minh City did not give up easily and in the 69th minute, Lam Thuan successfully converted the penalty kick, bringing the match back to the starting line.
Just a few minutes later, Minh Vuong continued to prove his class with a beautiful long-range shot, raising the score to 2-1 for Truong Tuoi Dong Nai.
It was thought that coach Viet Thang and his team would start with a victory, but in the 90th minute, Chu Van Kien fired a shot outside the penalty area, sealing a 2-2 draw.
This draw caused Truong Tuoi Dong Nai to miss the opportunity to affirm its strength in the opening round. However, Minh Vuong's performance with a goal and an assist is still a bright spot, promising to play an important role in the promotion journey of Truong Tuoi Dong Nai this season.
