Thể Công - Viettel defeats Hoàng Anh Gia Lai on the day coach Popov is banned from directing

Tuổi Trẻ celebrates a hard-fought victory for Thể Công - Viettel, who secured a crucial 1-0 win against Hoàng Anh Gia Lai. This match was particularly significant as it marked the first game where coach Velizar Popov was suspended from directing the team from the sidelines due to a VFF disciplinary action. Despite facing a pragmatic Hoàng Anh Gia Lai side and having two penalty appeals denied early on after VAR reviews, Thể Công - Viettel persevered. The turning point came in the second half when substitute Đinh Xuân Tiến provided a pinpoint assist for Wesley Nata to score the decisive goal. This win is vital for Thể Công - Viettel's title aspirations, maintaining their second-place position in the V-League 2025-2026 standings, seven points behind leaders Công An Hà Nội. From a Vietnamese perspective, this victory underscores the team's resilience and ability to perform under pressure, even with coaching disruptions, highlighting the depth and determination within the squad.