V-League 2025 – 2026: The fascinating phenomenon of Ninh Binh

Compared to the first three matches against Ha Tinh, Thanh Hoa, and Da Nang, the clash with Nam Dinh was truly a test of Ninh Binh’s capabilities. Their victory in round 4 of the LPBank V-League 2025 - 2026 over the defending champions was convincing. This newcomer has demonstrated its ambition to compete for the championship this season.

After four rounds, the team from the ancient capital remains the only one with a perfect record of 12 points, solidifying their position at the top. In this match, Hoang Duc continued to lead the team to victory. The midfielder scored the opening goal with a stunning long-range shot in the 30th minute. The other goal for Ninh Binh was scored by defender Thanh Thinh in the 34th minute.

Under the guidance of coach Albadalejo Castano, the Hoa Lu team displayed an effective attacking style combined with quick transitions adapted to the unfolding game situations.

The most significant mark left by the Spanish coach Castano is the tactical approach centered around the "core" Nguyen Hoang Duc, repositioning him to his natural attacking midfield role to unlock the full potential of the 27-year-old midfielder while easing his defensive responsibilities.

Criticized for leaving The Cong Viettel to join the First Division team Ninh Binh last year, Hoang Duc has proven that decision right. Not only did he help Ninh Binh secure promotion to the V-League, but the "maestro" from Hai Duong also played a major role in the club’s record unbeaten streak.

After round 4, the top four contenders have emerged, promising fierce competition. Ninh Binh continues to dominate the summit with a perfect 12 points. This result not only keeps them at the top but also shows they are a formidable challenger to other title hopefuls in this season’s long V-League campaign.

Ninh Binh’s strength lies in the combination of effective foreign players and key domestic players in excellent form like Hoang Duc, Van Lam, Duc Chien, Quang Nho, and Ngoc Quang. Additionally, their aggressive, fast-paced pressing style allows coach Gerard Albadalejo’s team to consistently pressure their opponents.

Historically, the V-League has witnessed several remarkable feats where newly promoted teams immediately challenged the top ranks, even winning the championship. Whether Ninh Binh can maintain this momentum remains to be seen, but the battle among the “giants” in the V-League is becoming intensely competitive.

In the chasing pack, Hanoi Police (10 points from 4 matches) and Ho Chi Minh City Police (10 points from 5 matches) share the next two positions. The Cong Viettel ranks fourth with 8 points from 4 games.

In Vietnamese football history, Hoang Anh Gia Lai and Hanoi Police achieved the remarkable feat of winning the V-League in their first season after promotion in 2003 and 2023 respectively. Both teams had many top stars when they claimed the title, setting a path for Ninh Binh FC to follow today.

Returning to the V-League this season, Ninh Binh has invested heavily in players, from national team members to foreign recruits from Brazil, Portugal, and France, alongside refreshing their entire coaching staff.

Ninh Binh currently holds a 28-match unbeaten streak across all domestic professional competitions, including the 2024 - 2025 First Division season. This is a record in Vietnamese football history.

In nearly a year, no team in Vietnam has managed to defeat Ninh Binh during regular playtime. This achievement is rare even for traditional powerhouses like Hanoi FC, The Cong Viettel, and Nam Dinh, especially given how fiercely competitive the V-League has become.

In the 2024 - 2025 season, Ninh Binh set a record by winning the First Division with 19 wins and 1 draw in 20 matches, accumulating a record 58 out of 60 points. Although the V-League is a higher level, if they maintain their current peak form, the Hoa Lu team could very well win the title, just as Hoang Anh Gia Lai and Hanoi Police have done in the past.

Unlike many newcomers aiming only to avoid relegation, Ninh Binh enters the V-League 2025 - 2026 with much greater ambitions. They openly aspire to become a new powerhouse, competing fairly for the championship with established traditional teams.

Their performance from the start of the season firmly declares that Ninh Binh is not here to play around but genuinely aims for the top position.