Coach Thanh Hoá moved: 'Players with fever and injuries still asked to play'

Coach Mai Xuân Hợp praised the determination shown by the Thanh Hoá fighters during the game versus CAHN Club on the night of February 24.

Although they took the lead, Thanh Hoá Club could not cause an upset, losing 1-3 to CAHN Club - the current top team in the standings in the rescheduled round 10 of the 2025/26 V-League on February 24 evening.

After the match, Coach Mai Xuân Hợp did not blame his players but emphasized the many difficulties due to squad shortages. He shared: “Some players had a fever, some were injured but still requested to play. I am truly grateful because they fought with all they had.”

The Thanh Hoá team started with strong determination and applied intense pressing. In the 28th minute, Damoth took advantage of the opponent’s defensive error to skillfully chip the ball and open the scoring, allowing the home team to end the first half with a lead.

The Thanh Hoá coach also praised this midfielder, who scored 3 goals in the last 2 matches. He commented: “Damoth previously had limited playing time but always had the desire to prove himself. He overcame psychological barriers to seize the opportunity. I believe Damoth has the ability to compete for a starting spot and will continue to develop well in Vietnamese football.”

However, the turning point came after halftime when Alan equalized from a penalty and then scored again, with Đoàn Văn Hậu’s goal in between, helping the visitors complete a 3-1 comeback.

Coach Mai Xuân Hợp also expressed gratitude to the fans who came out in large numbers: “In difficult times, we really need that support… Seeing the stands packed with fans watching players give their all for the colors deeply moved me.”

He stated that the club is working to lift the FIFA sanctions soon to add reinforcements, as currently the team has almost no rotation options.

This defeat dropped Thanh Hóa to 12th place with 12 points, continuing to face great pressure in the relegation battle ahead.