National First Division 2025-2026: Khanh Hoa 0-0 Dong Thap

Khatoco Khanh Hoa shared points with Dong Thap in a goalless draw round 7 of the National First Division 2025-2026 at 19-8 Nha Trang Stadium on November 9. This result means Khatoco Khanh Hoa lost their top spot on the league table to Truong Tuoi Dong Nai.

Despite being relatively highly rated for their strong form and holding home advantage, Coach Tran Trong Binh’s side struggled to find a way past the visitors Dong Thap’s goal. Khatoco Khanh Hoa’s key striker Doan Duy Anh, who is a potential game-changer in attack, had to leave the field early in the first half due to injury. His replacement, Kim Hung, also failed to make a significant impact. Furthermore, central midfielder Hoang Phuong made many inaccurate passes that slowed down the hosts’ attacking plays or allowed Dong Thap to easily prevent their attacks.

Khatoco Khanh Hoa have a tough match against Dong Thap in round 7.

Dong Thap had quite good performance. Their attackers, spearheaded by foreign striker Jhon Cley, managed to cause troubles to the home side's defender.  Most noticeably, early in the second half when, under pressure from Dong Thap, a defender of Khatoco Khanh Hoa headed the ball towards his own goal. If not for the brilliant save by goalkeeper Vu Ngoc Manh, who pushed the ball clear, Khatoco Khanh Hoa would have conceded a goal.

Near the end of the second half, Khatoco Khanh Hoa almost celebrated a goal, but Khac Khiem's header struck the crossbar of the Dong Thap goal and bounced back out. The score remained 0-0 as the final whistle blew. With this round 7 draw, Khatoco Khanh Hoa now have 16 points (5 wins, 1 draw), dropping to second position in the league table. For Dong Thap, getting just 1 point was not enough for them to improve their standing; they remain second from bottom (11th) with only 4 points (4 draws, 3 losses). The top spot after this round now belongs to Truong Tuoi Dong Nai, who had secured a 1-0 win against Quy Nhon United at their home ground in Binh Phuoc a day earlier.

Following round 7, the league takes a break to make way for round of 16 of the National Cup. Khatoco Khanh Hoa are scheduled to host Bac Ninh, also a First Division team, at 19-8 Nha Trang Stadium. This will mark the second encounter between Khatoco Khanh Hoa and Bac Ninh this season. In their previous encounter in round 2 of the First Division, Khatoco Khanh Hoa suffered a 0-1 defeat on Bac Ninh’s home ground. 

A.N
Translated by H.N