It's hard to stop Ninh Binh Club.

After 8 rounds of the first half of the V-League 2025-2026 season, Ninh Binh FC is firmly at the top of the table with 20 points, 5 points ahead of the second-placed team. Ninh Binh remains undefeated and possesses many qualities of a champion.

Ninh Binh Club is strong in everything...

Currently, Ninh Binh FC boasts the strongest attack in the V-League, averaging 2.5 goals per match. The team from the ancient capital of Hoa Lu has many players with excellent goal-scoring efficiency, such as Daniel Dos Anjos and Gustavo Henrique (both with 4 goals), Hoang Duc (3 goals), Duc Chien and Geovane Magno (both with 2 goals)... In addition, they have 5 other players who have scored goals, spread across all three lines. This diversity has allowed Ninh Binh to surprise opponents, achieving 6 wins and 2 draws.

Ninh Binh has outstanding individuals like Hoang Duc (center) and quality foreign players.

PHOTO: MINH TU

In terms of defense, Ninh Binh is also one of the best performing teams. Van Lam and his teammates have the third lowest average number of goals conceded per match in the league at 0.88 goals conceded per game, only behind The Cong Viettel (0.75 goals conceded per game) and Hanoi Police Club (0.83 goals conceded per game). Goalkeeper Van Lam is gradually regaining his form, frequently making impressive saves. The back four, consisting of Patrick Marcelino, Ngoc Bao, Thanh Thinh, and Quang Nho, play cohesively and ensure solidity.

In terms of playing style, Ninh Binh also adapted very quickly to the tactics built by coach Gerard Albadalejo. The Spanish coach emphasized control, instructing his players to mainly play short passes, actively coordinating in groups, and this is also the playing style that coach Viet Thang applied in the First Division last season. Ninh Binh Club still maintains its "backbone" consisting of Van Lam, Ngoc Bao, and Hoang Duc, and recruits new players with good individual technical skills to meet the short-passing style of play such as Ngoc Quang, Quang Nho, Duc Chien, Bao Toan… Ninh Binh made a wise recruitment of foreign players by bringing in players with experience playing in the V-League such as Geovane, Gustavo, and Janclesio. These three players play an important role, contributing both professionally and helping their Brazilian compatriots Patrick and Dos Anjos integrate quickly into the new team and new environment.

Ninh Binh FC's fighting spirit is also outstanding. Coach Albadalejo's players have fallen behind several times but have persevered, maintaining consistent pressure to score crucial goals and maintain their unbeaten streak. They scored five goals after the 80th minute, a rather impressive number. With a combination of a well-balanced squad, tactical depth, and an unyielding fighting spirit, Ninh Binh is truly creating a significant gap compared to its competitors. Competing only in the V-League and the National Cup is also an advantage for Ninh Binh compared to other title contenders like Hanoi Police FC and Nam Dinh (who also have to play in the Southeast Asian Champions League and the Asian Cup Winners' Cup). If they maintain this consistency, Ninh Binh is fully capable of winning the V-League title immediately after gaining promotion.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/kho-can-buoc-clb-ninh-binh-185251027201934914.htm