Ninh Binh defeated Ho Chi Minh City Police 4-3, extending their unbeaten streak to 35 matches.

In the 89th minute at Thong Nhat Stadium, a cross from Geovane caused Le Quang Hung to awkwardly score an own goal. That goal not only sealed a 4-3 victory for Ninh Binh against Ho Chi Minh City Police, but also extended their unbeaten streak to 35 matches, consolidating their top position in the V-League 2025/26 with 27 points after 11 rounds and marking their fifth away win.

A comeback scenario at Thong Nhat Stadium.

The chase started early. In the 5th minute, Le Hai Duc opened the scoring for Ninh Binh with a close-range finish. The home team responded immediately when Vo Huu Viet Hoang's seemingly harmless cross went straight into the net, bringing the game back to a tie.

Midway through the first half, a turning point came in favor of Ho Chi Minh City Police: Lee Williams and Duc Phu scored consecutively, increasing the score to 3-1. Ninh Binh faced the risk of suffering their first defeat after months of success.

But just before halftime, Hoang Duc scored a dangerous header to reduce the deficit to 2-3 – a goal that opened the door to a determined second half. After the break, the league leaders persistently pressed and were rewarded when Gustavo Henrique quickly tapped the ball in to equalize 3-3, and then Geovane's cross in the 89th minute resulted in an own goal, sealing a breathtaking comeback.

Key professional strengths: aerial ability and composure.

The sequence of goals showed how Ninh Binh turned the game around with direct plays in the penalty area: a well-timed header by Hoang Duc amidst a crowd, a close-range tap-in by Gustavo Henrique, and a powerful cross by Geovane that put pressure on the opponent and resulted in an own goal. When trailing 1-3, they didn't rush forward haphazardly but patiently directed the ball into areas with high player density, taking advantage of the timing and position to finish.

Another detail: Ho Chi Minh City Police's equalizer came from a seemingly harmless cross – a reminder of the risks in aerial situations. But in the second half, Ninh Binh was the team that controlled similar moments better in the opponent's penalty area, converting their pressure into goals.

The numbers speak for themselves.

• 35 consecutive unbeaten matches.
• 27 points after 11 rounds of V-League 2025/26.
• 5 away wins.

These statistics solidify Ninh Binh's position as a championship contender. Ninh Binh won not only through decisive moments, but also through their ability to maintain intensity and effectiveness in crucial situations.

Coach Gerard Albadajejo's reaction

Coach Gerard Albadajejo remained calm: “We took advantage of our opportunities and deserved to win. But it’s too early to talk about the championship. The season is still long, and things could change after the break.”

He also commented on the refereeing: "The same referee officiated two consecutive matches for us – that's puzzling to me, but it can't discourage Ninh Binh. This team always fights to the end, even when trailing 3-1 they don't give up."

Impact and forward

Three points at Thong Nhat Stadium helped Ninh Binh consolidate their top spot, extending what is considered the longest unbeaten streak in the league. The victory came from their composure, ability to turn the tide of the game, and coolness in the penalty area. Looking ahead, Albadajejo's team is focusing on the National Cup and a clash with Hai Phong – new challenges, and also an opportunity to test their stability.

If they maintain the intensity and effectiveness they've shown, the question of "are they ready to lay their hands on the championship trophy?" will gradually become clearer on the pitch.