Hai Phong - a football team with 'little money' but rich in spirit

Without expensive stars or a huge budget, Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem's Hai Phong is still making the entire V.League look back. With three consecutive victories, an explosive attack and a great fighting spirit, the team from the port city is writing its own special story.

The football team has "little money" but no small ambition

According to Transfermarkt 's valuation, Hai Phong's squad is only worth about 2.8 million euros, equal to Hong Linh Ha Tinh and in the bottom half of the financial rankings. That figure is 6 times lower than Nam Dinh and 3 times lower than Hanoi or Hanoi Police.

But on the field, money is no longer the measure. Hai Phong is in the top 4 leading teams, possessing the second strongest attack in the tournament with 18 goals, only behind Ninh Binh (21 goals).

Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem still “cut his coat according to his cloth”, but he turned the poor team into a strong and energetic team. At Lach Tray, each match is not only a battle for points, but also a battle of faith and pride.

Before the 2025/26 season, Hai Phong lost two key players: midfielder Dang Van Toi to Nam Dinh and striker Lucao to The Cong. However, the team from the port city did not lose heart. They quickly added familiar names to the V.League such as Joel Tagueu from Hanoi and Luiz Antonio from Thanh Hoa. In addition, there was the maturity of young midfielder Nhat Minh, a talent honed from the U23 team.

Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem has his own way of selecting people. He does not look for “flashy” players but chooses those who understand Vietnamese football, understand V.League, and are willing to sacrifice for the team. This is what helps Hai Phong’s tactical system operate smoothly despite constant changes in the force. The players who play for Nghiem do not need to be the best, just the most suitable.

Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem creates identity for Hai Phong Club.

After leaving Hanoi, Mr. Nghiem started a different journey. There, he was no longer in a rich environment, no longer had a team of billion-dollar stars, but had something more important - the absolute trust of his students and the audience. On Lach Tray field, he found simple, real and emotional football again.

Chu Dinh Nghiem did not promise to win the championship. He only asked the players to "play their best in every match". No slogans, no pressure. It was this comfort that helped Hai Phong play confidently and fearlessly. When they put aside the burden of achievement, they played football of joy and discipline.

After 122 matches leading Hai Phong, Mr. Nghiem had 50 wins, 34 draws and 38 losses. He was with the team for 1,462 days and used 69 different players - a number that shows his ability to rotate and adapt extremely well. Compared to the time in Hanoi (1,844 days, 105 matches, 50 players), it can be seen that Mr. Nghiem had to work much harder to maintain stability at a club with little potential.

Every season, Hai Phong loses players, but they never lose their spirit. Every new player coming to Lach Tray understands that this place does not promise money, only sweat and dedication. That is what creates a special identity - something that makes the audience of Hai Phong always proud.

The team of faith and loyalty

Chu Dinh Nghiem’s Hai Phong doesn’t have noisy press conferences or billion-dollar contracts. But they have something that many big teams envy – a spirit of solidarity. The team fights for each other, for the teacher, and for the distinctive red shirt of the port city.

In the context of V.League being heavily dominated by finance, Hai Phong is living proof that money cannot buy character. A “poor” team can still beat the big guys if they know who they are and play with all their heart.

Chu Dinh Nghiem was at his peak in Hanoi, but in Hai Phong, he is writing a different story. No flashiness, no titles, but full of emotions. A journey where every match is a challenge, and every victory is the pride of the whole city.

At Lach Tray, football is not just about results. It is about belief, dedication, and proof that – a team with little money can still play football with a big heart.

Source: https://znews.vn/hai-phong-doi-bong-it-tien-nhung-giau-ban-linh-post1599419.html