Despite losing a series of U23 Vietnam stars, Thanh Hóa still achieved something extraordinary

Having to register just 17 players following the exit of several core players, Thanh Hóa still managed an excellent draw with Nam Định.

While other V.League teams are busy strengthening their squads for the second phase, Thanh Hóa faces the opposite situation. Instead of welcoming new signings, the Thanh Hóa club must carefully manage the few players still eligible to play. The roster for the match against Nam Định included only 17 players, a very limited number compared to the standard for a professional match.

Among them, the bench had only 6 substitutes, including 2 goalkeepers. This meant the coaching staff had just 4 options to change outfield players. When the match reached a critical stage, Thanh Hóa practically had no tactical cards left to alter the game's flow, forcing the starting players to endure the full 90 minutes.

Not only was the squad short on players, but the technical area was also in a makeshift state. Coach Mai Xuân Hợp acted as interim head coach after Choi Won Kwon left the team. Thanh Hóa has yet to find a permanent replacement, causing some disruption in both the preparation and morale.

This “devastation” stemmed from the simultaneous departure of many key players right before the second phase began. Names that once formed the backbone like Quế Ngọc Hải, Nguyễn Thái Sơn, Võ Nguyên Hoàng, foreign player Lucas Ribamar, and Lê Văn Thuận all said their farewells, leaving a significant gap in squad depth.

Regarding foreign players, Thanh Hóa only had one midfielder from Uzbekistan, Odilzhon Abdurakhmanov, in the starting lineup. With only 14 players fit to play, the home team showed great courage and held Nam Định to a 2-2 draw. This was not just a point gained but a testament to the team's unyielding spirit amid many disadvantages.

After the match, Coach Mai Xuân Hợp could not hide his emotion. He revealed that many players played through pain and even accepted being substitutes despite not being fully fit, just to avoid the team being short-handed. “What makes me most proud is the unity and identity of the Thanh Hóa people,” he shared. In such difficult circumstances, earning a point was like a victory in spirit.