HLV Popov is the 'hot spot' making V-League fiery.

The dramatic 1-0 victory of The Cong Viettel over Dong A Thanh Hoa in round 18 of V-League is not merely about professional matters. This match became "heated" due to coach Velizar Popov, who was dismissed from coaching after vehemently protesting against referee Nguyen Viet Duan.

The Cong Viettel's victory over the formidable former club Thanh Hoa strongly indicates that the championship race this season remains intense, as Popov's team narrowed the gap with Cong An Hanoi to 6 points, despite the latter not having played round 18.

However, behind this strong resurgence, coach Velizar Popov still "dominates the spotlight" due to his coaching demeanor. He makes the entire V-League noteworthy not only on the field but also outside the coaching booth.

The professional impact of the Bulgarian coach cannot be denied. Since joining The Cong Viettel, he quickly built a team with strong character, playing fiercely and without fear of confrontation.

The win over Thanh Hoa clearly demonstrates The Cong Viettel's disciplined play, ability to withstand pressure, and execution of decisive moves at the right moment.

Despite two denied goals, The Cong Viettel ultimately secured 3 points following a mistake by defender Van Loi. Pedro Henrique relieved the tension with a successful penalty kick but also further heated up the match.

Referee Viet Duan did not issue a red card to Thanh Nam after his tackle on Wesley Nata, contrary to Coach Popov and The Cong Viettel's coaching staff's wishes, which became the final straw escalating the tension in this match.

Popov shows no deference to his former club or the referee, as the 1976-born strategist has openly criticized numerous "referees" in V-League.

Before round 18, Popov also publicly commented on refereeLe Vu Linhas a "killer" when his team disappointingly drew 1-1 with SLNA. Although not penalized for that behavior, The Cong Viettel attempted to cool down their coach by proposing that VPF excuse the Bulgarian coach from post-match press conferences.

This might be beneficial forPopovto avoid penalties. However, VPF's decision does not grant exceptions for the 50-year-old coach. Coach Popov must represent the club at post-match press conferences and can only send a substitute with valid reasons. The club understands that Popov's temperament is a "double-edged sword".

The accumulated frustrations led to Coach Popov's outburst in round 18. According to statistics, in over 100 matches in V-League, Popov is likely the most "notorious" coach regarding penalties. Since his time coaching Thanh Hoa, he continuously received yellow cards, red cards, coaching bans, even skipped press conferences, and faced fines.

Transitioning from Thanh Hoa toThe Cong Viettel,Coach Popov also carried over yellow card penalties from the organizers. His sharp criticisms of referees further made his image controversial.

From a positive perspective, Popov brings emotion, which football always needs. He turns each match into a genuine "battle," where players compete with over 100% energy. Fans may not agree with his reactions, but it's hard to deny that he makes V-League more watchable, at least in terms of providing Cong An Hanoi with a rival in the championship race.

However, from another angle, excessive impulsiveness leads to negative consequences. When the coach is repeatedly banned from coaching, the team suffers directly. Suspensions during crucial stages can disrupt match strategies. More importantly, the league's image is negatively impacted as disputes with referees continuously escalate.

In reality, professional football requires personality but also demands control. Popov is clearly a skilled coach, proven by his achievements with Thanh Hoa and his current impact at The Cong Viettel. But to go further, especially in the fierce championship race, he needs to temper his emotions to avoid becoming a "weak point" for his own team.