Nam Dinh Club competes for relegation

With a gap of only 2 points from the bottom group, it is hard to imagine that defending champion Nam Dinh will have to compete to avoid relegation in V-League 2025-2026 if they continue to not win in the next 2 matches.

Nam Dinh Club (right) in the 2-2 draw with Hoang Anh Gia Lai - Photo: VPF

Round 9 of V-League 2025-2026 ended last weekend with many surprises.

Notable among them were the 2-2 draw of defending champion Nam Dinh at Hoang Anh Gia Lai Club, the 1-2 defeat of championship candidate Hanoi against host Hong Linh Ha Tinh and the 1-1 draw of top team Ninh Binh at home by Becamex TP.HCM.

As for the two-year champion Nam Dinh, the streak of unsuccessful matches has not stopped. In the last six matches, the team from the Southern region has drawn 3 and lost 3, despite temporarily replacing coach Vu Hong Viet since round 8.

This poor result puts Nam Dinh Club in 8th place with 9 points after 9 matches, only 2 points above the bottom group.

Although they do not have to compete in round 10 in the middle of this week due to being busy competing in the AFC Champions League Two 2025-2026, having to meet Hanoi FC in round 11 on November 10 at Thien Truong Stadium also promises to be not easy for coach Nguyen Trung Kien and his team.

Coach Nguyen Trung Kien and Nam Dinh Club are in a difficult period - Photo: VPF

Because Hanoi FC has the strength and also needs to win to return to the championship race. Losing two and winning only one of the three matches leading Hanoi FC, new coach Harry Kewell is also facing a lot of pressure.

Meanwhile, Nam Dinh Club is facing health and injury issues of key players, as well as psychological instability after a series of unsuccessful matches.

If the result against Gamba Osaka Club in AFC Champions League Two on November 5 at home is not good (which is entirely possible as the Japanese representative is very strong), things could get even more difficult for Nam Dinh Club when they return to V-League.

With its strength, Nam Dinh FC is certainly not in the relegation race. The only question is how long will it take for the champion to return and join the V-League championship race this season?

Hopefully not for long. Because if not, the "fire pan" of Thien Truong Stadium will become increasingly empty of spectators. Looking at the number of spectators coming to Thien Truong Stadium in the first 5 matches of the season - according to VPF statistics, it is clear: 7,000 (against Hai Phong), 6,800 (against PVF-CAND), 4,500 (against Cong An Ha Noi, Becamex TP.HCM) and 4,000 (againstSHB Da Nang).

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NGUYEN KHOI

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/clb-nam-dinh-dua-tru-hang-20251103145709053.htm