Newcomer Ninh Bình continues their fairy tale story in the V-League

23/09/2025 08:03:00 ceshi

Few believed that Ninh Bình would create such a huge shock just after the first four rounds of the 2025/26 V-League season. But the facts have shown that under Coach Gerard Castano, they are not just newcomers excited to experience the top league; they are emerging as a "phenomenon" with serious ambitions in the championship race.

The most awaited match of round 4, the "derby" of Ninh Bình province after the regional merger, attracted great attention from many fans. Nam Định, though the away team, came with the spirit of the reigning V-League champions and high morale after winning their opening AFC Champions League Two match. However, Ninh Bình turned Ninh Bình Arena into a "fiery battlefield," ready to issue a challenge to Coach Vũ Hồng Việt’s squad and the entire league.

Although newly promoted, Ninh Bình has received significant investment with a quality domestic squad and a foreign coach full of ambition. This made Nam Định feel under pressure right from the start. Coach Vũ Hồng Việt no longer had the luxury of his usual foreign players as in continental competitions, forcing him to rotate more domestic players upon returning to the V-League.

This significantly weakened their cohesion, and with Nam Định still facing many issues early in the season, every mistake was swiftly exploited by the league leaders.

The crucial moment came in the 30th minute. Hoàng Đức made no mistake when the ball arrived at his feet inside the penalty area. The midfielder born in 1998 calmly finished to open the scoring. Three minutes later, the entire Ninh Bình Arena erupted with Thanh Thịnh’s stunning volley from a corner kick, putting the hosts 2-0 up. Within less than five minutes, Nam Định went from a balanced contest to a real crisis.

In the second half, Nam Định threw all their strength into attack. Percy Tau, Geovane, and Lâm Ti Phông were introduced one after another in hopes of turning the game around. However, all their efforts were blocked by a disciplined defense and the brilliance of goalkeeper Văn Lâm.

Ninh Bình’s goalkeeper made at least three spectacular saves, notably diving to deny Brenner’s dangerous header and leaping to stop a shot from Percy Tau. Even as Nam Định unleashed nearly all their firepower forward, Ninh Bình maintained tight defense and preserved their lead until the final whistle.

With a 2-0 victory, Ninh Bình climbed to the very top of the standings: 12 points from 4 matches, scoring 12 goals and conceding only 2. An impressive record for a newcomer, reminiscent of HAGL’s championship-winning season right after promotion in 2003.

Ninh Bình is making a very strong impression in the LP Bank V-League 2025/26. Photo: Hoàng Linh

What sets Ninh Bình apart is the quality of their domestic players. While foreign players like Gustavo and Daniel have yet to fully shine, Hoàng Đức, Đức Chiến, Thanh Thịnh, and Ngọc Hà have stood out, both controlling the midfield and scoring goals. This group’s ability to create impact independently gives Ninh Bình a versatile style, not relying solely on foreign players like many other clubs.

After Quang Nho and Gia Hưng shone in previous matches, this time Hoàng Đức and Thanh Thịnh were the direct scorers. This attacking diversity makes Ninh Bình even more unpredictable.

Coach Gerard Castano has also demonstrated flexibility and courage in team building. He knows when to press and when to drop back, while maximizing the technical qualities of his midfielders. After 4 rounds, it’s clear Ninh Bình’s wins are not due to luck but built on a solid tactical and personnel foundation.

In contrast to Ninh Bình’s rise, Nam Định has revealed many problems. After 4 rounds, Coach Vũ Hồng Việt’s team has only 2 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw, with a goal difference of -1 (5 goals scored, 6 conceded). This presents a worrying picture for a team that just recently claimed the title.

The defense’s lack of foreign players has placed a heavy burden on Nguyên Mạnh and the domestic center backs. But individual efforts alone cannot compensate. The attack has also been ineffective, with Kyle Hudlin disappointing and being well-marked by opponents, leading Coach Vũ Hồng Việt to seemingly lose faith in him. Meanwhile, Brenner and Romulo lack chemistry despite being given continuous chances.

Coach Vũ Hồng Việt certainly has much work ahead, including stabilizing the squad, refreshing the offense, and especially improving transition play, because once other teams "decode" Nam Định’s tactics, it will be difficult for them to maintain their status this season.

The victory over the reigning champions confirms that Ninh Bình is no longer just a phenomenon but a serious contender for the title. With their current foundation, if they maintain focus and avoid a drop in form, Coach Castano’s team can fully replicate the feat that HAGL achieved over two decades ago.

Meanwhile, Nam Định faces a harsh reality from their city rivals. Not only Ninh Bình but also Công An Hà Nội, Công An TP.HCM, and Thể Công Viettel rank above them. These are all strong contenders with plenty of motivation, making the V-League competition tougher than ever.

Therefore, the first derby in Ninh Bình football history is not only historically significant but also clearly reflects the shift in power balance. A newly promoted team has already defeated the reigning champion. Ninh Bình continues to challenge all the big clubs, making the league even more exciting.

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