Coach Vu Tien Thanh: 'Mr Popov is not professional'

In the 36th minute, Ho Chi Minh City player Victor Mansaray collided and hurt Gustavo Santos. The disgruntled host Popov went to the touchline and confronted the away striker. Seeing that, coach Vu Tien Thanh and his associates ran to express their displeasure, causing players on both sides to intervene. Referee Razlan Joffri took almost a minute to bring things under control.

"The attitude of coach Thanh Hoa is not professional," coach Vu Tien Thanh said after the match on the evening of April 17. "Mansaray was not at fault but he attacked. I think it was Mr. Popov's anger because I know that Mansaray gets angry easily."

This controversy is also considered the reason why the two coaches did not shake hands after the match. "If I am a guest, the owner must receive me," Thanh replied when asked why the two sides were not friendly after the match. "Shake hands or not, the host must take the initiative."

Meanwhile, Coach Popov asserted that Mansaray had a destructive behavior with Santos, and because of that, he was angry. The Bulgarian leader insisted that he did not mind what coach Vu Tien Thanh said, but only focused on directing the match.

"We had a conversation about three minutes before the game, but not a good friend to talk about," Popov said. "Can I ask for the number of the coach of the HCM City club to discuss further?"

The match at Thanh Hoa Stadium ended with a 5-3 victory for the home team. Coach Popov affirmed that Thanh Hoa can score 10 goals if he does not miss the opportunity. Meanwhile, coach Vu Tien Thanh admits to losing his mind. He said: "Because we conceded first, we had to push forward to create an open game. Thanh Hoa counterattacked well and this was a good match."

The victory helped Thanh Hoa lead the V-League 2023 with 17 points, three points above the team behind Hanoi FC. Ho Chi Minh City Club ranked 12th with four points, one point more than the bottom two teams in Da Nang and Binh Duong.