Công Phượng and his teammates could create a surprise at Thống Nhất Stadium

Đồng Nai enters the National Cup quarter-final match against Ho Chi Minh City Police Club with disadvantages as coach Nguyễn Việt Thắng is banned from directing and they must play away. However, in adversity, Công Phượng's team might display a "nothing to lose" spirit, ready to shock the V-League representative.

The quarter-final matchNational Cupat 7:15 PM tonight, March 20th, at Thống Nhất Stadium promises to be full of drama. The absence ofCoach Nguyễn Việt Thắngdue to a suspension will affect the morale of the Đồng Nai players.

The away team has been without Công Phượng for many months due to an injury with no set return date. However, leading the First Division and having a smooth path to promotion shows Đồng Nai is accustomed to this situation.

The strength of coach Nguyễn Việt Thắng's team lies in their experienced squad, featuring stars like Việt Thắng, Sandro, Tự Nhân…

Đồng Nai can carry confidence as luggage, but they lack a driver and are somewhat unstable. Coach Việt Thắng has been very close, having been an assistant to his senior at SHB Đà Nẵng for many years.

Over the years, this young coach has also completed the difficult advanced coaching course and is capable of speaking frankly with his senior in the role of a team's head coach.

Without Coach Việt Thắng in the technical area, the away team will still enter the match with a "fight to the end" spirit.

The advantage ofĐồng Naiis they no longer have a "underdog" mentality. Their victories over Becamex TP.HCM and Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh in previous rounds were not guaranteed. That affirms the charm of a First Division team capable of upsetting any V-League representative.

Currently, Ho Chi Minh City Police Club under coach Lê Huỳnh Đức knows its position. Two recent wins against bottom-group teams HAGL and PVF CAND have restored confidence for the Thống Nhất Stadium hosts. However, Ho Chi Minh City Police Club fully understands those minimal victories expose a weak attack. The lack of scoring from players like Tiến Linh, Thanh Bình, Endrick, Raphael… indicates the club's goal-scoring ability is problematic.

Coach Lê Huỳnh Đức's squad relies heavily on speed and the goal-hunting ability of the small-framed player Khoa Ngô. However, opponents may also be wary of this 20-year-old Vietnamese-American.

The National Cup rules "restrict" the V-League representative by allowing only one foreign player, forcing coach Lê Huỳnh Đức to strategize. Ho Chi Minh City Police Club could be vulnerable against their opponent.

The "Southeast derby" encounter holds significant meaning. One side is a V-League representative wanting to maintain prestige, the other is a "challenger" dreaming of continuing a fairy tale in the Cup arena. Đồng Nai is determined not to shy away from the championship if opportunity arises.