As the '12th player' (the fans) began leaving the field early.
(Baonghean.vn) - "The 12th player" has long been a term used to describe the support and encouragement of a large audience in the stadium for a football team, giving the 11 players on the field extra fighting spirit, making the team feel like they have an extra player.
The 12th player from the stands creates a fiery atmosphere that can intimidate many opponents and lead to defeat as if it were nothing...
But what's noteworthy and regrettable is that recently, quite a few teams that once benefited from the strength of the 12th player are unintentionally or intentionally losing it, letting it slip away, sometimes even overnight. The story of the Nam Dinh fans after round 4 of phase 2 of V-League 1-2023 is a concrete and vivid example, and could be a valuable lesson not only for Nam Dinh Steel but for any professional or amateur team.
In the 2023 season, Nam Dinh Green Steel, with its strong investment, has truly transformed in terms of personnel quality and ambition, naturally attracting and garnering support from a large number of local fans. In fact, Thien Truong Stadium consistently tops the charts for attendance whenever the home team plays. Even a SEA Games match at Thien Truong Stadium wasn't just for Nam Dinh Green Steel; it was packed with fans from Nam Dinh. Furthermore, Nam Dinh fans are renowned for their captivating and energetic drumming, their eye-catching fan attire, and above all, their unwavering love for their hometown team, dedicating their time and effort to wholeheartedly create the strength of the "12th player"—a quality not found everywhere like at Thien Truong Stadium.
Also in the 2023 season, Nam Dinh Steel's qualification for Group A, the championship contenders, was a proud achievement, further fueling the excitement and support of numerous fans. At the start of the second phase, Nam Dinh Steel secured a resounding 2-0 victory away at Dong A Thanh Hoa, opening up a great opportunity for an even more thrilling and exciting race. However, since then, Coach Vu Hong Viet's team has only managed draws against Viettel and suffered consecutive defeats against Hanoi FC and Hanoi Police. The climax of the story was the recent 1-2 loss in Round 4 against Hanoi Police, causing many fans to leave the stadium early, some throwing away drums and burning shirts after the match, fan forums declaring they would stop attending matches, and most recently, efforts to return fan shirts to the team…
Of course, the strained and unfavorable relationship between the team and its fans isn't unique to Nam Dinh or Song Lam Nghe An, as many have witnessed. It all stems from the team's inconsistent and disappointing results, leading to sparse fan attendance and even boycotts, a phenomenon that has occurred in teams with some of the largest fan bases in the V-League!
The results of recent matches show that Nam Dinh Steel Green will find it very difficult to compete for a top 3 position at the end of the season, and with the way they've played, there's no hope for anything in the future. This team lacks the determination and perseverance of their rivals in Group A like Dong A Thanh Hoa or Binh Dinh, and it's even harder to compete with contenders like Hanoi FC, Hanoi Police, or Viettel. Therefore, it's not difficult for Nam Dinh fans to realize the team's resignation, and they feel their support and dedication are meaningless, easily betrayed. Similarly, the story of Song Lam Nghe An's relegation battle and their lackluster performances are alien to professional football and the faith of those passionate about the sport, especially those who lead the charge on the field, the choir, the cheers that stir the hearts of the fans…
What would happen if football were played without spectators, essentially a stadium being penalized and "suspended" due to disciplinary action for future matches and seasons? Will the leadership of Nam Dinh Steel Green team have to step in to address this serious "crisis" and get things back on track? Clearly, when the "12th player" (the fans) not only leave the stadium but are officially boycotting and protesting against the backward and shameful practices in Nam Dinh, the team is shooting itself in the foot, heading against the path of professional football in an unstoppable way!