Nam Dinh vs Long An 6:00 PM: Xuan Son returns in the National Cup.
Nam Định will face Long An at 6:00 PM on November 23rd at Thiên Trường Stadium, in the Round of 16 of the 2025/2026 National Cup. Coach Mauro Jeronimo will make his debut, Xuân Son will return; many stands will be open to the public free of charge.
At 6:00 PM on November 23rd at Thien Truong Stadium, Nam Dinh Steel Green will face Long An in the Round of 16 of the 2025/2026 National Cup. This will be the official debut match for Portuguese head coach Mauro Jeronimo and will likely see the return of striker Xuan Son after injury. The club will also offer free entry to many stands for fans.
Time, location, and live channel
- Time: 6:00 PM, November 23, 2025
- Location: Thien Truong Stadium
- Tournament: Round of 16 of the 2025/2026 National Cup
- Live stream channel: FPT Play
Highlights before kick-off
Defending V-League champions Thép Xanh Nam Định are exempt from the qualifying round and will open their cup campaign against Long An, a team from the First Division. The difference in quality is clearly evident at the moment, but the home team still needs a morale boost after a seven-match winless streak in V-League 1.
Xuan Son is a great source of inspiration. The naturalized Brazilian striker, who recently returned from injury, came on in the second half in Vietnam's 2-0 victory over Laos on November 19th, scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot and being voted Man of the Match. With his fitness restored, he is fully capable of starting the game, bolstering Nam Dinh's attacking power.
In the National Cup, Nam Dinh will not be allowed to use as many foreign players as in the V-League. This makes the role of key domestic players, especially Xuan Son, even more crucial in finishing and creating breakthroughs.
Professional impact
Xuan Son's return provides Nam Dinh with another attacking option to deal with situations in the penalty area, especially when facing opponents who play defensively and wait for counter-attacks like Long An. In the context of limited foreign players, Xuan Son's ability to connect with supporting players like Lam Ti Phong, Hoang Anh, or Romulo promises to bring quality to direct attacking plays.
The match also marked the beginning of coach Mauro Jeronimo's tenure. The arrival of a new coach usually brings about adjustments to the team's tactics, but Nam Dinh's immediate priority remains solidity, efficiency, and maximizing the form and inspiration of their healthy attacking players.
Predicted lineup
| Nam Dinh | Long An |
|---|---|
| Nguyen Manh, Thanh Hao, Van Toi, Van Kien, Van Vi, Tuan Anh, A Mit, Romulo, Lam Ti Phong, Hoang Anh, Xuan Son | Minh Duy, Anh Tài, Hoàng Mỹ, Ivan, Vũ Em, Tuấn Đạt, Hồng Sơn, Văn Trung, Đình Mạnh, Trọng Đại, Văn Soạn |
Information for fans
To mark this special day, Xuan Thien Group and Nam Dinh Green Steel Club are opening their doors to fans free of charge, with free entry to stands A3, A4, A5, A6, B, C2, C3, and D. The entire C1 stand is free for visiting Long An team supporters.
Statistics and noteworthy facts
- Nam Định went through a seven-match winless streak in V.League 1 before entering the Round of 16 of the National Cup.
- Returning from injury, Xuan Son scored a penalty and was named Man of the Match in Vietnam's 2-0 victory over Laos on November 19th.
- Nam Dinh is not allowed to use many foreign players in the National Cup, so the presence of key domestic players is their strength.
Pre-match perspective
With the home advantage, a strong squad, and the renewed spirit of Xuan Son, Nam Dinh has all the necessary foundations to aim for a convincing performance against Long An. However, the knockout format always demands high concentration and the ability to capitalize on opportunities from the very first moments.
