Coach Popov: 'Vietnam could lose to Nepal'

Thể Công Viettel overturned the score to defeat SHB Đà Nẵng 2-1 at Hàng Đẫy, with Coach Popov satisfied with the outcome yet frank about the technical level of Vietnamese football.

Thể Công Viettel staged an impressive comeback by defeating SHB Đà Nẵng 2-1 at Hàng Đẫy in the 2025/26 V.League. Goals from Xuân Tiến and Nhâm Mạnh Dũng helped the military team maintain consistent form, climbing to second place on the table, just two points behind league leaders Ninh Bình.

After the match, Coach Popov expressed satisfaction with his players' fighting spirit but did not hesitate to point out issues he believes are holding back the development of Vietnamese football. When asked about how Viettel managed to surge in the second half, the Bulgarian tactician shared: “It wasn’t too difficult. In the first 10-15 minutes, we missed two very clear chances. Then the goalkeeper’s injury slowed down the pace of the game. If Vietnamese football continues like this, I think in 2-3 years, Vietnam could easily lose to teams like Nepal or Bangladesh.”

Coach Popov’s frank comments show he not only cares about his team’s results but also worries about the overall professional quality of the V.League. According to him, maintaining speed, rhythm, and competitiveness in matches is essential if Vietnamese football wants to reach the continental level.

Additionally, Coach Popov expressed respect for domestic rivals, stating: “In Vietnam, there are many strong clubs like Ninh Bình, Nam Định, Hà Nội… It’s normal that the best-performing team wins the championship. However, achieving success involves many off-field factors. For us, every match is like a final.”

The victory over Đà Nẵng not only strengthened Viettel’s position among the top teams but also demonstrated their resilience and fighting spirit under Coach Popov. The military club has shown they are fully capable of competing for the title this season if they maintain their current form and determination.