Nam Dinh offers free tickets, Xuan Son makes a comeback to face Long An.
At 6:00 PM on November 23rd at Thien Truong Stadium, Nam Dinh will face Long An in the Round of 16 of the National Cup; admission is free, Xuan Son returns after 11 months, and coach Mauro Jeronimo makes his debut.
Nam Dinh has confirmed that admission to the match against Long An in the Round of 16 of the National Cup will be free, at 6:00 PM on November 23rd at Thien Truong Stadium. The match marks the official return of naturalized striker Nguyen Xuan Son after 11 months recovering from injury, and also the debut of new head coach Mauro Jeronimo, who replaces Vu Hong Viet.
Free tickets to light the Thien Truong bonfire.
With the V-League 2025/26 taking a break to make way for the SEA Games 33, the focus of domestic football has shifted to Thien Truong Stadium. The decision to open the gates for free is a token of gratitude to the fans and a move to heat up the atmosphere before the knockout match. A representative from the club stated: "The club hopes to receive the support of a large number of fans to mark a new beginning and especially to welcome back our 'love' Xuan Son to contribute. The chants of 'Nam Dinh' from the stands will be a great motivation for the whole team to fight fiercely and return to their rightful place."
Double boost: Xuan Son and the hot seat.
Nam Dinh confirmed that Nguyen Xuan Son has fully recovered his fitness after 11 months out with injury and recently "warmed up" with a goal for the Vietnamese national team in the Asian Cup qualifiers. With a striker expected to be a "killer" back, the team has added strength in finishing – a crucial element in cup matches that are sometimes decided by a single moment in the penalty area.
Simultaneously, there's the effect from the coaching bench: Mauro Jeronimo is making his debut as head coach. A change in the hot seat usually brings new energy, helps restart internal competition, and redefines the roles of key players. In a knockout match, the new head coach has the opportunity to make an immediate impact through his personnel choices and the pace of the game.
Context and pressure to achieve
The reigning V-League champions enter the new phase of the season with a paradox: possessing a squad valued at over 10 million euros but only ranked 10th in the V-League standings. In this context, the National Cup is the perfect platform for them to regain momentum. A victory would both boost fan morale and lay the groundwork for the remainder of the season.
The return of Xuan Son, along with a fresh breeze from the technical area, is expected to help Nam Dinh improve the quality of their final touches and sharpness in the penalty area. At the tactical level, having a striker in good physical condition often allows the team to diversify their finishing options and improve their finishing in crucial situations.
Pre-match highlights
- Time: 6:00 PM, November 23rd
- Location: Thien Truong
- Round of 16, National Cup
- Match pairing: Nam Dinh – Long An
- Audience policy: Free admission.
- Notable personnel: Nguyen Xuan Son returns after 11 months; he has fully recovered his fitness and recently scored a goal for the Vietnam national team in the Asian Cup qualifiers.
- Coaching bench: New head coach Mauro Jeronimo makes his debut (replacing Vu Hong Viet)
- General context: The V-League 2025/26 season is taking a break to make way for the 33rd SEA Games.
A match of belief
The National Cup always holds an element of surprise, but with the support of the home crowd and two personnel boosts, Nam Dinh has reason to aim for a convincing performance. An early goal for Xuan Son would bolster confidence and help the new team reshape their winning trajectory. This match, therefore, means more than just a ticket to the next round: it's a test of the new energy on the Thien Truong pitch.