After 20 rounds of the National First Division League 2025-2026, coach Nguyen Viet Thang's team has a great advantage in the championship race. If they defeat Long An in round 21, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai will officially be crowned champion one round early.
This is considered a memorable milestone for Southeast Vietnamese football. Since Vietnamese football entered the professional era, Dong Nai has never had a representative win the championship in the national professional league system. Therefore, if the goal is achieved this season, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai will for the first time bring local football to the highest podium.
Notably, this team gathers many experienced players such as Nguyen Cong Phuong, Luong Xuan Truong and Tran Minh Vuong. After many years of playing under great pressure and expectations, the trio that was once a symbol of Hoang Anh Gia Lai is facing the opportunity to win the first team title in their career.
In many seasons wearing the Hoang Anh Gia Lai shirt, Nguyen Cong Phuong, Luong Xuan Truong or Tran Minh Vuong have received many expectations to help the Mountain Town team compete for the National Championship title. However, most of the time they have to struggle with the relegation race.
Many former teammates of this generation of players such as Nguyen Van Toan, Vu Van Thanh or Nguyen Tuan Anh have won the National Championship title in the colors of other teams. Meanwhile, Nguyen Cong Phuong, Luong Xuan Truong and Tran Minh Vuong have not yet won major titles at the club level.
For Nguyen Cong Phuong, this year's season is also of special significance as he gradually regains his competitive feeling after a period of unsuccessful time abroad. Luong Xuan Truong continues to play the role of regulating the midfield with experience, while Tran Minh Vuong maintains stable form in the decisive stage of the season.
Before the decisive match, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai club also sent a message of gratitude to fans who have accompanied the team throughout the season. According to the plan, Binh Phuoc Stadium will have a special low-altitude fireworks display after the match.
The team said that the program was organized after receiving the consensus and permission from functional agencies according to current regulations. This is considered an activity to add spirit to the players in their journey towards the championship, and at the same time create a special atmosphere for fans in a match that may be of historical significance.
Although the National First Division championship cannot be compared to the national championship in terms of scale, this can still be a worthy reward for the persistent journey of the generation of players who were once considered a great hope of Vietnamese football.
If they overcome Long An in the next round, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai will not only win a ticket to the V.League promotion but also close the emotional journey with a historical milestone for the team and the stars who grew up from Hoang Anh Gia Lai.
