Nguyen Cong Phuong's team, previously known as Truong Tuoi Dong Nai, has made a pivotal change by officially renaming itself to City Football Club of Dong Nai ahead of the V-League 2026/27 season. This announcement was made during the club's launch ceremony on August 29, marking a historic moment for the team from Southeast Vietnam after winning the National First Division Championship 2025/26 and earning promotion to the top tier of Vietnamese football.

Significant Name Change Before the Historic Season

During the launch ceremony, Pham Huong Son, the club's president, confirmed the name change, stating, "Based on the club's proposal, we have consulted with city departments to change the name from Truong Tuoi Dong Nai to City Football Club of Dong Nai starting this season. We have submitted the documentation to the Vietnam Football Federation for prompt approval." This name change is seen as a major milestone in the club's development, symbolizing their ambition to represent the city of Dong Nai in the V-League.

New Season, New Ambitions

In their inaugural season in the V-League, City Football Club of Dong Nai is attracting significant attention due to its roster of experienced players, including Nguyen Cong Phuong, who is expected to play a crucial role alongside familiar names like Xuan Truong, Tan Sinh, and Sam Ngoc Duc. These players are anticipated to bring valuable experience to the team as they compete in the challenging V-League.

In addition to their established players, Dong Nai has made substantial reinforcements ahead of the new season, signing Bui Tien Dung, Phan Van Hieu, Nguyen Van Duc, goalkeeper Pham Van Phong, and foreign players Andrija Majdevac, Filip Jovic, Milos Vulić, and Andrei Ivan. These additions reflect the club's ambition to build a competitive squad, although the management has stated that they are not setting overly ambitious goals for their first season.

Focus on Team Cohesion

Head coach Nguyen Viet Thang emphasized the importance of focusing on each match rather than succumbing to pressure regarding rankings. "We will strive to build on what we accomplished in the 2025/26 season and continue to develop the team into a united collective, aiming for the best results in our first V-League appearance," he stated.

A New Era for Dong Nai Football

During the launch ceremony, Vietnam Football Federation President Tran Quoc Tuan praised the club's journey and the investment efforts made by President Pham Huong Son. "VFF is extremely proud of the former Binh Phuoc Club and now the City Football Club of Dong Nai for being the first to participate in the prestigious V-League, representing the Southeast region in Vietnam's top football league," he remarked. The success of Dong Nai is seen as a testament to the ambition and investment strategy of its leadership.

As the club embarks on this new chapter with a new name and renewed expectations, the upcoming V-League season will serve as the first step in establishing the local football scene within the professional arena.