Da Nang plays play-off with Binh Phuoc: No foreign players but... good

SHB Da Nang seemed to be at a big disadvantage because they were not allowed to use foreign players in the play-off match for V-League tickets with Binh Phuoc, but the reality was different.

The play-off match between SHB Da Nang and Binh Phuoc will take place at 6pm on June 27 at Thong Nhat Stadium (HCMC). According to the regulations, V-League teams are not allowed to use foreign players in this "life-or-death" match.

In the V-League, foreign players play an extremely important role, even deciding the success or failure of each team. However, for SHB Da Nang , it is the domestic players who have made their mark this season, helping the Han River team from a position that seemed to be directly relegated, to rise to the second-to-last position to play in the play-off match.

In the second leg of V-League 2024/25, SHB Da Nang has 3 foreign players: striker Thiago Henrique, midfielder Emerson Santos de Souza and defender Cassio Fernando. Thiago Henrique and Emerson Santos each contributed only 2 goals, while Cassio Fernando played even more poorly, playing 10 matches.

SHB Da Nang's foreign players did not contribute much to the gameplay. Photo: SHB Da Nang

The total number of goals scored by SHB Da Nang's foreign players this season is not even equal to that of a domestic player, Van Long (6 goals). At many times, foreign players have been a burden to coach Le Duc Tuan's team.

Therefore, when not being able to use foreign players in the play-off match with Binh Phuoc , SHB Da Nang did not consider it a disadvantage. Goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung said: "During the second leg of this season, everyone can see that we often play with a squad of all domestic players. Therefore, playing against foreign players is not too difficult, because the team is used to this."

Bui Tien Dung is very confident before the play-off match. Photo: SHB Da Nang

Comparing the force, Binh Phuoc has experienced goalkeeper Tan Truong and striker Nguyen Cong Phuong who can make a difference from set pieces. However, SHB Da Nang certainly researched the opponent very carefully, along with preparing a plan to lock down Binh Phuoc's striker wearing the number 70 shirt.

Importantly, the Han River team plays in the V-League, which is much harsher than the First Division, so even though it ranks 13th in the rankings, it is still considered to have more experience and the courage to overcome difficult times.

In fact, in the last 11 play-off matches, the V-League representative won 8 matches. This time, if they play to their full potential, SHB Da Nang is capable of delaying Binh Phuoc's dream of being promoted to the V-League for another season.

Cong Phuong and Binh Phuoc Club were offered a 'huge' bonus before the play-off match for tickets to the V-League 2025/26 season with SHB Da Nang taking place on June 27.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/da-nang-da-play-off-voi-binh-phuoc-khong-ngoai-binh-lai-tot-2414713.html