Da Nang spectacularly stays in the league in the 2024/25 season
The decisive blow of those who never give up
Failure in the preparation work at the beginning of the season caused Da Nang to quickly sink deeper into crisis. After the first 10 rounds, they only won 7 points, ranked second to last in the rankings, only ahead of newly promoted Quang Nam Club on goal difference.
The lack of sharpness in the attack, the frequent individual mistakes in the defense, combined with the turmoil in the coaching staff, caused the Han River team to lack stability, which is a prerequisite for a long-term relegation race. At that time, many fans accepted the fact that their beloved team would be relegated to the First Division next season.
The atmosphere at Hoa Xuan Stadium became gloomy. Expected faces such as Ha Minh Tuan, A Mit or Phi Ha could not show their performance, the foreign players almost "disappeared".
The board was forced to activate a mid-season rebuilding plan. A series of adjustments were implemented such as changing the tactical system, saying goodbye to foreign players who did not meet the requirements, promoting young players Dinh Duy and Phi Hoang from the lower ranks and especially inviting back veteran strategist Phan Thanh Hung, who had been with the club for many years, to become Technical Director.
Young coach Le Duc Tuan was assigned to lead the team. This duo quickly rebuilt the team in a pragmatic direction, building a solid defense, prioritizing winning points over playing beautifully.
On the afternoon of June 27, at Thong Nhat Stadium (HCMC), Da Nang entered a life-and-death play-off match with Truong Tuoi Binh Phuoc Club (runner-up of the 2024/25 First Division). The match was not only a battle for a place in the V.League but also the final test for all the efforts throughout the second half of the season.
Right after the opening whistle, the orange team quickly deployed a mid-range pressing game, a formula that helped them defeat Hanoi and Khanh Hoa in the previous rounds. The midfield controlled the tempo well, while the duo Minh Tuan - Dinh Duy continuously tormented the opponent's defense.
In the 26th minute, from a corner kick taken by Phi Ha, Minh Tuan jumped high to head the ball to open the score. The goal seemed to relieve all tension, helping Da Nang to deploy a safer playing style in the second half. In the 78th minute, in a quick counter-attack, Dinh Duy escaped to face the opponent and finished accurately to increase the score to 2-0.
Not stopping there, in the 86th minute, Binh Phuoc was awarded a penalty. Everyone held their breath. But goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung dived in the right direction, pushed the ball out, kept a clean sheet and maintained the 2-0 victory for Da Nang.
A save that showed the experience, bravery and strong revival of the former U23 Vietnam goalkeeper. At the end of the match, thousands of Da Nang fans present at Thong Nhat Stadium burst into tears and happiness. A season that seemed to end in bitterness ended with complete joy.
Collective courage and the future
Da Nang's success does not come from one individual, but from the combination of many factors. On the coaching bench, the duo Phan Thanh Hung - Le Duc Tuan have coordinated well, combining experience and youth, scientific tactics and flexible improvisation.
They did not create a noisy revolution, but a quiet but effective adjustment that rebuilt the defense, created a playground for young players and maintained internal stability at a time when many other teams were continuously firing coaches.
On the field, Da Nang does not have a star “carrying the team” like in previous seasons, but they have a united team. Dinh Duy matured at the right time, Tien Dung “revived” his peak form, Minh Tuan found his killer instinct again. The solidarity from behind the scenes to the field creates a “DNA of overcoming difficulties” with the identity of the Han River.
Behind the scenes, the support of the Da Nang People's Committee and sponsors also played an important role. The 50 billion VND investment package to renovate the roof and grass surface of Hoa Xuan Stadium, approved mid-season, is a clear demonstration of long-term commitment. The club also improved its financial resources, when player salaries and bonuses were guaranteed, and fans joined in setting up a season ticket fund, creating a ripple effect.
In the immediate future, Da Nang has identified three key tasks for the 2025/26 season: Retaining key players (Minh Tuan, Tien Dung, Dinh Duy); restructuring the squad with new, higher-quality foreign players and especially upgrading the youth squad. Coach Le Duc Tuan will concurrently take on the role of academy director to create continuity in training and developing local talent.
Staying in the league after a life-and-death match is not just a milestone. For Da Nang, it is a new beginning - an affirmation that football is not just about position on the rankings, but also a story of spirit, of aspiration and of teams that do not give up.
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/cuoc-hoi-sinh-ngoan-muc-147535.html
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