Do coach Popov and Thanh Hoa Club feel heartbroken?

Missed opportunity

When round 12 ended (according to the official schedule), the top 3 teams on the V-League 2024 - 2025 rankings were: Nam Dinh Club (24 points), Thanh Hoa Club (22 points) and The Cong Viettel Club (21 points). However, the number of matches played by the teams in the top 3 was different. In which, Nam Dinh Club played 13 matches, while Thanh Hoa Club and The Cong Viettel Club only played 11 matches. This was due to the fact that the teams had to participate in club-level tournaments in Southeast Asia and Asia, so the V-League organizers flexibly adjusted the match schedule to create conditions.

After stopping at the Southeast Asian Cup C1, Thanh Hoa Club was "returned" to 2 matches in the V-League. At this time, the Thanh team is considered to have a good chance of taking the top spot, when it is only 1 point behind Nam Dinh Club but still has 2 matches left to play. The advantage of Coach Popov's team is that they will meet 2 much weaker opponents and are in the bottom half of the rankings, Ho Chi Minh City Club and Quang Nam Club. Although The Cong Viettel Club also has 2 matches left to play, it is much more difficult than Thanh Hoa Club, when the military team has to face Da Nang Club and a "tough" opponent, Hanoi Police Club.

Doan Ngoc Tan (right) and his teammates missed a good opportunity to take the top spot.

The opportunity has come, but Thanh Hoa FC has not been able to take advantage. The Thanh team has stumbled in the last 2 away matches. Thanh Hoa FC had a 2-2 draw at Thong Nhat Stadium against Ho Chi Minh City FC, on the day Coach Popov was sent off for a red card (2 yellow cards). Recently, Coach Popov had to sit in the stands of Tam Ky Stadium and helplessly watched his players lose 0-1 to Quang Nam FC.

From being on top of the V-League 2024 - 2025 rankings, Thanh Hoa Club has now dropped to 3rd place with 23 points. The Cong Viettel Club is at a disadvantage compared to Thanh Hoa Club, but coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his team played well to win 4 points after 2 matches (drawing with Da Nang Club and winning against Hanoi Police Club) to take the top spot with 25 points. Nam Dinh Club dropped to 2nd place with 24 points.

Fans of the Thanh Hoa team have reason to regret, as Mr. Popov's team could not reclaim the top spot they had previously occupied. Missing the precious opportunity to win the first leg of the 2024 - 2025 V-League, Thanh Hoa Club can only blame themselves.

Test the mettle of Thanh Hoa Club

In this season's V-League, Thanh Hoa Club's potential cannot be compared to teams like Nam Dinh Club, Hanoi Police Club and Viettel The Cong... Despite that, the Thanh team has always maintained its position in the top of the rankings since the beginning of the season. It cannot be denied that coach Velizar Popov is capable, and at the same time, the Thanh Hoa Club players are determined to overcome the remaining difficulties.

Thanh Hoa FC could not climb to the top of the table after the first leg of V-League 2024 - 2025 officially ended, but the opportunity is still ahead. The second leg is when the teams have to accelerate and sprint to achieve their goals. At this stage, the team that maintains stability in terms of force and playing style will have the advantage in the race to the finish line.

Coach Popov sat in the stands of Tam Ky stadium, witnessing Thanh Hoa Club's defeat against Quang Nam Club.

Putting aside two consecutive losses, Thanh Hoa FC needs to regain their spirit and continue to show their mettle. To do this, Doan Ngoc Tan and his teammates really need Coach Popov. In terms of “fighting spirit”, the Bulgarian captain will be an example for Thanh Hoa players. But besides that, Mr. Popov also needs to control himself from the sidelines, so as not to receive a penalty (from the referee or the organizers) and then have to helplessly sit in the stands watching his students compete.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hlv-popov-va-clb-thanh-hoa-co-thay-tiec-dut-ruot-khong-185250220132407557.htm