CLB Ninh Bình risks ending up empty-handed

Just a few weeks ago, Ninh Bình was still regarded as a heavyweight candidate for the V-League 2025/26 title. The team from the ancient capital possesses a lineup described as a "galaxy," featuring numerous stars and young players with great potential. However, football is unforgiving, and following a recent string of poor performances, Ninh Bình is on the verge of ending up with nothing.

The 1-2 defeat againstCông an Hà Nộiin round 16 of the V-League not only left Ninh Bình struggling in the championship race but also starkly exposed the team's existing problems.

That result extended a worrying trend of form, with 4 losses and 1 draw in the last 5 rounds. From being top of the table for much of the first half, Ninh Bình has now dropped to 3rd place with 28 points.

The gap with the league leadersCông an Hà Nộiafter round 16 has widened to 10 points, while the opponent still has one fewer match played. This means the championship opportunity is almost slipping away from the ancient capital team.

After the match,Coach Vũ Tiến Thànhdirectly pointed out several issues within the team. According to him, the long break due to national team competitions caused Ninh Bình to lose their competitive rhythm. When the league resumed, the players could no longer maintain their previous high level of performance.

But that is only part of the problem. The reality on the pitch shows Ninh Bình struggling in multiple aspects: declining fitness, faltering morale, and the slump in individual form of many key players. Players once expected to be pillars for the team, like Hoàng Đức, Đức Chiến, Gustavo, Friday, and Marcelino, have lost their consistency.

Due to insufficient fitness foundations, the team easily loses steam during transitions. This has been evident in recent matches, where Ninh Bình frequently allowed opponents to exploit space and punish them with quick counterattacks.

Meanwhile, mental issues also make the team fragile. Once trailing, Ninh Bình often appears confused and lacks plans to turn the situation around. The confidence that helped them soar early in the season seems to have vanished.

Another worrying factor is the instability in personnel usage. Ninh Bình's squad was heavily invested in, with many prominent names from domestic to foreign players. However, as the form of key players declines, Coach Vũ Tiến Thành faces a difficult dilemma: continue trusting the star names or boldly give chances to younger players.

This coach has hinted at possibly using more young faces in the coming period. But that is a risky decision. In the context where the team needs points to maintain a top position, drastic changes to the lineup could make the situation even more unstable.

Not only that, Coach Vũ Tiến Thành's seat could also be under pressure if results don't improve. In professional football, performance is always the most important measure.

On the standings, Ninh Bình is not only far behind CAHN but also faces significant pressure from behind. Hoàng Đức and his teammates are only 1 point ahead of 4th-placed Hà Nội FC. With their tradition and resilience, Hà Nội FC is always a dangerous team in the final stages of the season. If Ninh Bình continues to drop points, being overtaken by this rival is entirely possible.

It's noteworthy that Ninh Bình's season still has two objectives: the V-League and the National Cup. This weekend, Ninh Bình enters the National Cup quarter-final against PVF CAND on March 21st. This could be an opportunity for the team to regain confidence, but it could also become a major challenge if the team's overall morale isn't improved.

In football, heavy investment in personnel doesn't always guarantee success. Ninh Bình built a squad likened to a "galaxy," but individual stars can only shine when placed within a stable and ambitious system.

If they don't quickly resolve issues regarding fitness, morale, and cohesion, the ancient capital team could very well end the season with nothing.