Viettel's key player speaks candidly about championship chances after hard-fought win over Thanh Hóa

Defender Phan Tuấn Tài believes Viettel still has a chance to compete for the title with CAHN, but the team does not put too much pressure on themselves.

Viettel secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Thanh Hóa at Hàng Đẫy Stadium, keeping their championship hopes alive. This result helped the military-backed team accumulate 38 points, narrowing the gap with the top-ranked CAHN to 6 points, despite having played one more match.

Speaking after the match, captain Phan Tuấn Tài stated that the opportunity to compete for the top spot remains, but the whole team will not focus too much on pressure. He emphasized that Viettel needs to concentrate fully on each match, and the season's outcome will depend on the performances of all teams, especially CAHN.

The match was not easy for the home team as Thanh Hóa organized a tight and disciplined defense. For most of the time, the players under coach Velizar Popov struggled to penetrate the opponent's defense, even though they twice put the ball into the net, but both were denied by VAR.

The turning point came in the 73rd minute, when Trịnh Văn Lợi handled the ball inside the penalty area after tracking a Viettel player. From the penalty spot, Pedro Henrique made no mistake, scoring the only goal to break the deadlock for the home team.

Nevertheless, the final minutes of the match truly became the focal point with numerous controversies. The incident where Trương Thanh Nam made a fierce tackle on Wesley Nata right near the technical area caused Viettel's coaching staff to react strongly. Referee Nguyễn Viết Duẩn only issued a yellow card, although the home side believed it deserved a red card, especially since the player had previously committed another dangerous foul.

Tensions peaked when coach Velizar Popov reacted vehemently and received a second yellow card, meaning he was dismissed from the match. However, according to Phan Tuấn Tài, the whole team maintained focus and a fair-play spirit. He confirmed the players fought hard to protect the result and emphasized that he himself is in good physical condition to continue contributing in the remaining stages of the season.

Viettel wins a breathless match against Thanh Hóa, maintaining pressure on the top spot

Coach Popov receives a red card, assistant immediately speaks up to defend him