Behind why Cong Phuong's team 'rejected' the V-League.

With a long-term development strategy, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai Club (formerly Binh Phuoc Club) has its own reasons for declining to participate in the V-League 2025-2026.

A TEAM WITH HIGH AMBITIONS

From the moment Truong Tuoi Group began investing in Binh Phuoc FC, they aimed for a long-term vision. They recruited Cong Phuong to develop him into a key player and a "magnet" attracting fans to the stadium. Simultaneously, Binh Phuoc FC recruited Japanese experts and studied the development model of Buriram United in Thailand to improve their approach to football in a more systematic and sustainable way. The club's facilities were also upgraded. As a result, the team from the cashew-producing region has achieved considerable success (runner-up in the First Division, missing out on V-League qualification after losing to Da Nang FC in the play-off), and boasts a large and loyal fan base.

Cong Phuong trains in preparation for the new season.

PHOTO: DONG NAI FRESH SCHOOL CLUB

Building on the foundations of Binh Phuoc FC, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai FC is now aiming for more ambitious goals, with promotion to the V-League being a must. However, they have refused to replace Quang Nam FC.

The Trường Tươi Đồng Nai club stated: "We don't want to enter the V-League just to 'participate,' we want to go there when we are truly ready to fight, to conquer." The team's ambition is clear: to become a challenger, a team capable of competing for the title, rather than just participating in the V-League to avoid relegation. To achieve this, Trường Tươi Đồng Nai says they will build a cohesive, professional team based on a solid foundation. However, at this point, the foundation they speak of is not yet truly secure.

Cong Phuong cannot carry the team when the squad is not strong enough.

Let's look at the new signings that coach Nguyen Viet Thang has brought in to see this more clearly. Truong Tuoi Dong Nai Club has brought in 14 new players, including experienced names like Tran Minh Vuong and Luong Xuan Truong. But ultimately, these players are over 30 years old and can no longer maintain the form and physical condition they had at their peak. The same goes for Duong Van Khoa, Nguyen Huu Tuan, Nguyen Thanh Thao, and Le Van Son. Younger players like Tran Quang Thinh, Uong Ngoc Tien, Ho Thanh Minh, Cao Tran Hoang Hung, Nguyen Duc Cuong, Nguyen Thanh Loc, and Tran Trong Hieu… are not of very high quality, or are mainly reserves in the V-League, or only play in the First Division. Meanwhile, foreign player Alex Sandro is also 30 years old, playing in Vietnam for the first time, and needs more time to prove himself.

With their current squad, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai FC has enough strength to conquer the First Division. However, to become a real challenger in the V-League, they need a much higher-quality team. Meanwhile, the 2025-2026 V-League season is fast approaching, with only two weeks left before kick-off, and a major overhaul is almost impossible. And if they have to make urgent substitutions, Coach Viet Thang would also need to reconsider the personnel and tactics, things he had carefully prepared. This is too complicated.

Not participating in the V-League this season is not a step backward, but a strategic move by Truong Tuoi Dong Nai FC. They proactively stopped to prepare more thoroughly for their long-term goals, instead of rushing into a fierce competition without sufficient resources. Not only does the team lack depth, but it also needs more time to improve many other aspects, such as upgrading its facilities.

This shows that Truong Tuoi Dong Nai FC is level-headed and has a long-term vision. Building its image, defining its playing style, fostering a strong local fan base, and sustainably developing its youth system will be a solid foundation for conquering the V-League in the near future. Cong Phuong's team is taking a slow but steady approach, something Vietnamese football desperately needs.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dang-sau-viec-doi-cua-cong-phuong-tu-choi-v-league-1852508052206558.htm