The Cong Viettel beat Dong Nai 2-0 in a match with two red cards: Cong Phuong fades, Nham Manh Dung sent off

On the evening of September 4, 2026, at Hang Day Stadium, The Cong Viettel secured a 2-0 victory over Dong Nai FC in a friendly or National Cup match (not yet specified). The match witnessed two straight red cards after VAR reviews, along with the return of former star Nguyen Cong Phuong in the away team's colors, but he left no mark. From the start, The Cong Viettel took control against their first-division opponent. Although no detailed stats on possession or shots are available, the home side created consistent pressure. In the 25th minute, a combination on the right flank led to a dangerous shot, but the Dong Nai goalkeeper made a fine save. The turning point came in the 35th minute. During an aerial duel, Dong Nai's central defender Jovic committed a dangerous foul on a The Cong Viettel attacker. Referee Do Khanh Nam immediately received a signal from the VAR team; after reviewing the footage, he showed a straight red card to Jovic, leaving Dong Nai with 10 men. Exploiting the numerical advantage, The Cong Viettel pushed forward. In the 41st minute, from a corner kick on the left, the ball was swung into the box, and a home defender rose to head it into the net, making it 1-0. The goal highlighted The Cong Viettel's effective set-piece organization. The first half ended with the army team leading. In the second half, The Cong Viettel's coach made two substitutions: bringing on striker Nham Manh Dung and midfielder Danh Trung. These were clear tactical moves to increase pressure on the already-depleted Dong Nai defense. In the 61st minute, Danh Trung received the ball on the right flank and delivered a precise cross into the box. Nham Manh Dung rushed in to tap the ball home, making it 2-0. The quick combination showed good understanding between the substitutes. Notably, Dong Nai's star Nguyen Cong Phuong was also introduced in the 60th minute, right after his team conceded the second goal. However, in his 30 minutes on the pitch, Cong Phuong failed to create any dangerous chances. He had a few touches but was easily neutralized by The Cong Viettel defenders. The faded performance of the former HAGL star raises further doubts about his current form. In the 75th minute, an unfortunate incident occurred. Nham Manh Dung, during a challenge with a Dong Nai defender, punched his opponent in the face. Referee Do Khanh Nam immediately stopped play, consulted VAR, and showed a straight red card to Nham Manh Dung, leaving The Cong Viettel also with 10 men. This was a clear lack of composure, especially when his team was leading 2-0 and in control. In the final minutes, despite both teams being reduced to 10 men, The Cong Viettel maintained better control. Dong Nai could not create any significant threat. The match ended 2-0 in favor of The Cong Viettel. Tactical analysis: The Cong Viettel's victory came from efficiently exploiting the numerical advantage. Immediately after Jovic's red card, they scored from a set piece, showing good preparation. The second-half substitutions also paid off instantly, with Danh Trung assisting and Nham Manh Dung scoring. However, Nham Manh Dung's red card was a major disciplinary negative, indicating a lack of emotional control from the young player. For Dong Nai, losing Jovic early made defending difficult. Cong Phuong's presence did not help much, possibly due to poor integration or simply declining form compared to his peak. This is a worrying sign for Dong Nai, who placed high hopes on the once-promising star of Vietnamese football. Regarding officiating, the referee team handled the match well. Both red card decisions were made after VAR reviews, ensuring accuracy. Referee Do Khanh Nam handled the situations decisively, without controversy. Disciplinary consequences: According to VFF regulations, both Jovic and Nham Manh Dung will face suspension. Jovic received a straight red for dangerous play, typically resulting in 1-3 match bans. Nham Manh Dung received a red for violent conduct (punching an opponent), which could lead to a suspension of 3 matches or more, depending on the Disciplinary Committee's review. This will affect The Cong Viettel's squad in upcoming matches, especially if they lack quality backup options for the striker position. Transfer market context: This match has no direct impact on the transfer market, but it provides additional data on Cong Phuong's form. If he continues to perform poorly, his Transfermarkt value may drop further. Conversely, Danh Trung's impressive assist could attract attention from other clubs, though it's too early to tell. Public pressure: For Cong Phuong, this is another disappointing match in his decline. The media may exploit the theme 'where is the former star now,' putting pressure on his mentality. For The Cong Viettel, the win is routine, but Nham Manh Dung's disciplinary issue may raise questions about the coaching staff's player management. Conclusion: The Cong Viettel earned a deserved victory against a weaker opponent, capitalizing well on the numerical advantage. However, Nham Manh Dung's red card somewhat tarnishes the win. Dong Nai needs to quickly address defensive weaknesses and find ways to maximize Cong Phuong's abilities if they want to compete in the first division. The match also showed that VAR is working effectively in Vietnam, helping referee decisions become more accurate.