Coach Phùng Thanh Phương aims to protect Khoa Ngô, targets top 5 finish

CLB Công An TP.HCM secured a 1-1 draw against second-placed Thể Công - Viettel on May 31, thanks to an 85th-minute equalizer assisted by Khoa Ngô. The match took place at Binh Duong Stadium as Thong Nhat Stadium is under renovation.

Coach Phùng Thanh Phương emphasized the importance of managing Khoa Ngô's return from a nearly month-long injury. "I don't want injuries to affect Khoa Ngô's development. Whether at the club or for the Vietnam national team, I have to calculate the right time to use Khoa Ngô," he stated. The young midfielder, born in 2006, recently returned for matches against Ninh Binh and Thể Công - Viettel, also contributing two goals himself.

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I don't want injuries to affect Khoa Ngô's development. Whether at the club or for the Vietnam national team, I have to calculate the right time to use Khoa Ngô.

Ngô's partnership with striker Tiến Linh, who scored the equalizer, is crucial for the team. "Tiến Linh has relieved the scoring pressure he's been under. He has delivered good results for the whole team and, importantly, has regained motivation," Phương commented. This draw maintains CLB Công An TP.HCM's fifth position with 35 points after 25 rounds.

The team now focuses on two remaining goals: securing a top-five finish in the league and advancing in the 2025-2026 National Cup semifinal against Thép Xanh Nam Định on June 11. Coach Phương aims to preserve his key players to achieve these objectives.

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Tiến Linh has relieved the scoring pressure he's been under. He has delivered good results for the whole team and, importantly, has regained motivation.