2/11: Ninh Binh maintains top spot, Tran Thanh Trung injured.

A dramatic day for Vietnamese football: Ninh Binh conceded an equalizer in the 77th minute but still maintained their lead in the 2025/26 V-League; Coach Albadalejo was outraged by Tran Thanh Trung's serious injury and the VAR decision; Da Nang narrowly avoided defeat in the 90+5th minute; Xuan Son returned to the Vietnamese national team after more than 10 months recovering from injury; VFF issued disciplinary action in the Third Division; FAM condemned the distribution of documents related to Facundo Garces.

Tran Thanh Trung's injury and the VAR controversy.

The Ninh Binh vs. Becamex Ho Chi Minh City match in Round 9 of the V-League 2025/26 was overshadowed by the serious injury to young midfielder Tran Thanh Trung. Coach Albadalejo expressed his frustration after the match: “Currently, I don’t know exactly what Thanh Trung’s condition is; we have to wait for the doctor’s examination. But the Becamex Ho Chi Minh City player made a very dangerous tackle, causing our player to suffer a torn shin, even reaching the bone.”

What surprised me was that the player who committed the foul wasn't given a red card. The referee initially didn't even award a penalty, had to review VAR, and now my player is in the hospital. I really don't understand it.”

Ninh Binh maintained their lead after conceding a goal in the 77th minute.

Ninh Binh took an early lead thanks to a goal from Nguyen Hoang Duc and controlled the game for most of the match. However, Ugochukwu scored in the 77th minute, preventing the home team from securing all three points against Becamex Ho Chi Minh City.

Nevertheless, the team from the ancient capital still leads with 21 points after 9 matches, undefeated since the beginning of the season (6 wins, 3 draws). The gap with second-placed Hanoi Police is only 1 point, and Ninh Binh has played one more match, putting considerable pressure on the race for the top spot.

Thach Bao Khanh is completely convinced by the Hanoi Police.

At another point, PVF-CAND suffered a 0-2 defeat against Hanoi Police. Coach Thach Bao Khanh admitted that their opponent "is the strongest team in the V-League at the moment." This confirms the stability of the second-placed team, making the championship race even more intense as Ninh Binh is only one point ahead.

Xuan Son returns to the Vietnam national team.

Striker Nguyen Xuan Son has been called up by coach Kim Sang Sik for the November training camp, in preparation for the return match against Laos in the third round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. This is a surprise, as Xuan Son hasn't played officially for over 10 months after suffering a broken leg injury.

A representative from Nam Dinh FC stated that Xuan Son has almost fully recovered his fitness and can train and play at a normal intensity. Coach Nguyen Trung Kien shared after the draw against HAGL: “Xuan Son has fully recovered and is in his best physical condition. If all procedures are completed, he could play as early as round 11.”

Da Nang narrowly avoided defeat in the 90+5th minute.

At Hoa Xuan Stadium, center-back Kim Dong-Su scored in the 90+5th minute, helping Da Nang draw 1-1 with SLNA. A last-minute goal, saving a match that seemed to be slipping away from the home team.

VFF ruled against Luxury Hạ Long due to player violations.

The Disciplinary Committee of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) decided to award Luxury Ha Long a 0-3 defeat against Hanoi Bulls in the match on October 26th, in the 2025 National Third Division League, due to the use of ineligible players. The team from the mining region was also fined 5 million VND.

FAM condemns the dissemination of documents related to Facundo Garces.

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has expressed concern over the dissemination of unverified birth certificates of the grandparents of naturalized player Facundo Garces, while FIFA is handling his appeal. FAM Acting President Datuk Yusoff Mahadi urged against the spread of false or unverified information: “This does not help the players or Malaysian football.”

Notable statistics

• Ninh Binh: 21 points/9 matches, undefeated (6 wins, 3 draws), 1 point ahead of Hanoi Police but having played one more match.
• Ninh Binh vs. Becamex Ho Chi Minh City match: conceded an equalizer in the 77th minute (Ugochukwu).
• PVF-CAND lost to Hanoi Police 0-2.
• Da Nang 1-1 SLNA: Kim Dong-Su scored in the 90+5th minute.
• Third Division: Luxury Ha Long was handed a 0-3 defeat against Hanoi Bulls and fined 5 million VND.