Fate is teasing Cong Phuong and his teammates again?

Cong Phuong's team will have more difficulties when VFF adjusts the promotion and relegation rates. Photo: Truong Tuoi Dong Nai .

Dong Nai started the new season in the National Cup 2025/26 in an exciting way: defeating Becamex TP.HCM - a representative of V.League - with a score of 3-1, despite not registering Cong Phuong and only playing Minh Vuong from the bench. That victory immediately rekindled the belief that the dream of promotion to V.League is not frivolous, after they had fallen before the "gates of heaven" due to the defeat in the play-off match last season.

This improvement is even more valuable when considered in reality: if there is no need for Cong Phuong, no need for Minh Vuong to start but still convincingly beat an ambitious team in V.League, then in the First Division, coach Nguyen Viet Thang and his team do not fear any opponent. In theory, Dong Nai possesses the depth and courage to believe that they are stronger than the rest. But football always contains cruel paradoxes.

The joy did not last long, Dong Nai immediately received bad news: Hoa Binh withdrew, leaving the First Division with only 12 teams. VPF and VFF had to adjust the promotion slots, from 2 direct slots to only 1 direct slot and 1 play-off slot. This means that instead of having a wide open door to return to V.League, all calculations now became much more severe.

For Dong Nai, this is like a ghost returning to haunt them. If they only finish second, they will once again enter a "life and death gamble" - and no one else but Cong Phuong will be the one under the most scrutiny. Because he was the one who missed the fateful penalty in the 74th minute of the play-off match last season, contributing to the collapse of the promotion dream.

Dong Nai Club needs to make a lot of effort this season.

This season, Cong Phuong has the support of two former teammates at HAGL - Minh Vuong and Xuan Truong - alongside experienced players like Tan Truong and Tan Sinh. But Dong Nai cannot underestimate their direct competitors.

Bac Ninh brings a squad with many former national players: Tuan Linh, Ngan Van Dai, Mai Xuan Quyet, Hai Huy, Duc Chinh. Quang Ninh owns a squad of familiar V.League players such as Vu Minh Tuan, Mac Hong Quan, Nghiem Xuan Tu. In terms of quality and character, they can completely create a fair race with Dong Nai.

In that context, just one slip could push Cong Phuong and his teammates into a dire scenario.

When Hoang Duc or Van Lam only “visited” the First Division for one season and then immediately returned to V.League, the fact that Cong Phuong had to “soak” for another year in this tournament is clearly unacceptable. Especially for a player who is always associated with expectations and scrutiny.

To avoid being teased by fate, Cong Phuong needs to urge the whole team to play with the highest concentration from the starting line. Every opportunity must be cherished, every point must be preserved. Only by accelerating early, breaking away from the opponent's pursuit like Hoang Duc did last season, can Dong Nai escape the vicious cycle called play-off.

For Cong Phuong, promotion is not just the destination of a season. It is also a release for himself, to erase the fateful missed shot and end the obsession that comes back again and again every time a new season begins.

Source: https://znews.vn/so-phan-lai-treu-cong-phuong-va-dong-doi-post1585982.html