The bottom-ranked V-League team targets Coach Park’s favorite player to replace Bùi Tiến Dũng

With goalkeeper Bùi Tiến Dũng sidelined for an extended period, Da Nang FC is seeking alternative options for their goalkeeping position.

Facing increasing pressure in the relegation battle, SHB Da Nang must consider aggressive personnel changes for the second half of the season. The Han River club recently made a notable move by requesting to loan goalkeeper Nguyễn Văn Toản from Hải Phòng FC, hoping to patch up a serious defensive weakness that has repeatedly cost them.

Last season, Da Nang’s goalkeeper spot was almost guaranteed by Bùi Tiến Dũng. He played a key role in a remarkable escape, boosting the entire team’s confidence at critical moments. However, a severe injury has forced him to miss the entire 2025-2026 season, leaving a huge void both professionally and mentally.

Without Dũng in goal, the coaching staff has given chances to Phan Văn Biểu and Nguyễn Tuấn Hưng. Nevertheless, stability remains elusive. After 13 rounds, Da Nang has yet to keep a clean sheet, their conceded goals mounting rapidly and continuously forcing them to chase games. As a result, the team is sinking deeper into the bottom group.

In the standings, the Central Vietnam representative currently sits last with only 7 points, significantly trailing direct rivals. Although the gap is not impossible to close, if the defense remains fragile, all efforts from the offense may become meaningless. In fact, their attack ranks among the weakest in the league with only 10 goals scored.

Therefore, pursuing Văn Toản is seen as a necessary temporary solution. Hải Phòng has not yet agreed, as they need to secure a suitable replacement for Nguyễn Đình Triệu before letting him go. However, the chances of successful negotiation are not low if both sides reach a mutual agreement.

For Văn Toản personally, this could be a valuable opportunity. Having shone when helping U23 Vietnam win the SEA Games 2019 gold medal and frequently trusted by Park Hang-seo in the national team, he has had limited playing time in recent seasons. A new club where he can be the regular starter might be the stepping stone for the 1999-born goalkeeper to regain the form that made him famous.