Ninh Binh lost a pair of midfielders in the match against Ho Chi Minh City Police.
Midfield duo Nguyen Duc Chien and Tran Bao Toan were suspended due to three yellow cards, leaving Ninh Binh out of breath in midfield before the match against Ho Chi Minh City Police in round 11 of V-League; they have played all 10 matches, scoring three goals.
Ninh Binh suffered a big loss before welcoming Ho Chi Minh City Police in round 11 of V-League when both Nguyen Duc Chien and Tran Bao Toan were suspended due to receiving 3 yellow cards. These are two midfielders who have played all 10 matches since the beginning of the season and contributed 3 goals, making the personnel problem in the middle of the field urgent for coach Gerard Albadalejo's team.
Tactical impact on Ninh Binh midfield
The simultaneous absence of two key midfielders in the heart of the match significantly reduces the ability to control the tempo and compete in the middle of the field. In the modern playing structure, the midfield duo usually undertakes three key tasks: covering the defense, connecting the lines with one-touch passes, and activating transitions immediately after winning the ball. Without Duc Chien and Bao Toan, Ninh Binh faces the need to adjust their operations, from organizing mid-range pressing to distributing the ball out wide.
This forces coach Gerard Albadalejo to consider alternative options to maintain the density of the competition and maintain the stability of the squad. The change in personnel in the midfield can also lead to adjustments in the distance between the lines, to limit the space in front of the 16m50 area and reduce the risk in the opponent's quick transition situations.
The role of Duc Chien and Bao Toan
- Playing all 10/10 matches since the beginning of the season, showing the level of reliability and influence in the competition system.
- Direct contribution to output: Nguyen Duc Chien scored 2 goals, Tran Bao Toan scored 1 goal.
- Accumulating 3 yellow cards led to a suspension in round 11, disrupting the team's familiar personnel structure.
Discipline and force fluctuations in round 11 of V-League
Not only Ninh Binh suffered a loss in terms of force, round 11 also recorded 4 more cases of absence due to discipline (receiving 3 yellow or red cards) from other teams. In total, according to sources, there are 6 players who cannot play due to suspension in this round.
| Player | Club | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Nguyen Duc Chien | Ninh Binh | 3 yellow cards |
| Tran Bao Toan | Ninh Binh | 3 yellow cards |
| Hoang Vinh Nguyen | Hoang Anh Gia Lai | Discipline round 11 (3 yellow cards or red cards) |
| Nguyen Duc Anh | Da Nang | Discipline round 11 (3 yellow cards or red cards) |
| Ferreira Da Silva | Hanoi | Discipline round 11 (3 yellow cards or red cards) |
| Le Van Do | Hanoi Police | Discipline round 11 (3 yellow cards or red cards) |
Highlight match: Ninh Binh vs Ho Chi Minh City Police
The match against Ho Chi Minh City Police is expected to be a big challenge for the home team. When two midfield anchors are absent, the pressure on the ability to organize a long-range defense and keep the ball safely will increase significantly. The decision to replace the number 6/number 8 position (depending on the tactical context at each time) will shape the way Ninh Binh controls the midfield, thereby directly affecting the quality of the attacks and counter-attacks.
In a tight midfield battle, each ball-winning situation, each pass through the line or turn to escape the pressure will be valuable as a tactical springboard. The intention to control the tempo or play in a safe, tight direction will likely be carefully considered, in order to make up for the gap left by the suspension.
Other notable matches
- Nam Dinh vs Hanoi
- Hoang Anh Gia Lai vs Thanh Hoa: relegation battle
Quick statistics of round 11
- 6 players are absent due to disciplinary reasons, including 2 midfield cases from Ninh Binh.
- Duc Chien and Bao Toan played in 10/10 matches since the beginning of the season, scoring a total of 3 goals.
- Round 11 has 7 matches taking place on fields across the country.
In the context of a chaotic force, the ability to adapt and adjust the pace of the competition will be the key for Ninh Binh to overcome the challenge against Ho Chi Minh City Police.
