Nam Định drew 2-2 with HAGL, now winless in 6 matches, dropping to 8th place.
The reigning V-League champions only have 9 points from 9 rounds (2-3-4) and a streak of 6 winless matches. Marlos Brenner's brace couldn't salvage the crumbling game, the foreign players were lackluster, and the risk of relegation remains.
On the fiery pitch of Pleiku, Marlos Brenner's brace was only enough to keep Nam Dinh from conceding a point. The 2-2 draw against HAGL in V-League Round 9 extended their winless streak to six matches, pushing the defending champions down to eighth place with 9 points after 9 games (2 wins, 3 draws, 4 losses). The advantage they had in the match, followed by a disjointed performance in the second half and a decline in physical fitness, exposed the core problems this season.
Second half and the fallout
Marlos Brenner shone with two goals, but Nam Dinh couldn't maintain their rhythm in the final 45 minutes. The game became disjointed, and their ability to organize pressing and defensive coverage diminished, causing the team from Nam Dinh to miss the opportunity to end their winless streak right in Pleiku.
From the peak to the crisis
After 9 matches, Nam Dinh only has 9 points (2-3-4), level with the teams struggling at the bottom of the table. Notably, they retained almost the entire squad from last season's championship win and added 13 foreign players, while only being allowed to register 4 players per match. This advantage in squad depth turned out to be accompanied by a disjointed and uncoordinated team; foreign players like Percy Tau, Lucas Alves, and Kyle Hudlin performed poorly and lacked chemistry.
The tactical dilemma and the head coach's position.
In contrast to Hanoi Police FC under coach Alexandre Polking – a team that clearly defined a control-oriented and stable playing style despite rotation – Nam Dinh is losing the identity that once helped them win the championship. Changes on the coaching staff have also had a significant impact: Coach Vu Hong Viet stepped down, making way for his successor Nguyen Trung Kien – who lacks experience coaching in the V-League. Although Mr. Viet holds the role of Technical Director, his voice on the field has changed.
Key statistics
| Index | Value |
|---|---|
| last match | Drawn 2-2 against HAGL (round 9, Pleiku Stadium) |
| Score after 9 matches | 9 points (2 wins, 3 draws, 4 losses) |
| Winless streak | 6 matches |
| Current location | 8th place |
| The gap to the bottom group. | 2 points |
| Outstanding player | Marlos Brenner (double) |
The threat of a relegation battle is closer than ever.
Just two points ahead of the bottom group, Nam Dinh allowed weaker opponents like HAGL, Da Nang, and SLNA to take points. This season's V-League is no longer a "filler" league; every slip-up can drag the champion into a relegation battle.
The upcoming schedule is packed.
Ahead lies a tough series of matches: Hanoi FC, Thanh Hoa, Ha Tinh, and The Cong Viettel – all opponents currently in good form. Besides the V-League, the Nam Dinh team also has to divide its resources between the AFC Champions League 2 and the ASEAN Club Championship, requiring thorough preparation in terms of personnel and physical fitness.
A springboard for a comeback.
According to the source material, fighting spirit will be a crucial factor. While bottom-placed teams like HAGL, Thanh Hoa, and Ha Tinh are showing great determination, Nam Dinh needs to restore cohesion, redefine its playing style, and capitalize on the strengths that led to its championship victory, if it doesn't want to be drawn deeper into the relegation battle.
