No individual is greater than the collective

A season without a main striker, without a familiar goal support, but the answer after 25 rounds is clear evidence: Nam Dinh not only survived, but also won the championship for the second consecutive time, one round early.

From patching up the attack to revolutionizing tactics

Xuan Son is not only the top scorer of V.League 2023/24 but also the embodiment of the dominance of the team from Thanh Nam. However, after shining at the AFF Cup 2024 and being called back to the national team, Xuan Son suddenly suffered a serious injury in the final match against Thailand. The diagnosis shows that he will have to rest for at least 9 months.

That was a big shock for the team from Thanh Nam, especially when they entered the new season with the ambition to defend the championship. In that context, what fans were curious about was not how long Xuan Son would be absent, but: How would Nam Dinh play without him?

Like every team that has ever depended on an individual, Nam Dinh were forced to find a new path. Coach Vu Hong Viet’s initial experiments such as using Joseph Mpande did not work.

Instead, there is a completely new “trident”: Brenner - Ti Phong - Ly Cong Hoang Anh. None of them are real strikers, but that is also the special point: Nam Dinh is not trying to create a “new Xuan Son”, but completely switching to the mindset of collective goals.

With a flexible formation, using players with the ability to move widely and coordinate small, Nam Dinh built an attacking system rich in connection. Although not as explosive as last season, the result reached the milestone of 50 goals, being the club with the most goals in the season, proving the effectiveness of the Southern team's attack. They do not have a "hundred-shot, hundred-hit" striker, but have more than 10 players scoring goals.

Ly Cong Hoang Anh scored 7 goals, despite playing in the midfield position. Ti Phong and Brenner continuously shined in big matches. Even set pieces became powerful weapons with diverse options.

Nam Dinh has proven: You don't need a star to shine, if the whole team shines together.

No Xuan Son, but with coach Vu Hong Viet

Unlike last season, Nam Dinh entered the 2024/25 V.League in a context of serious shortage of players. In the opening match, they lost to Hong Linh Ha Tinh , a surprising result that made many people doubt the ability of the Southern team to defend the throne.

After the first 6 rounds, Nam Dinh were hovering in the middle of the rankings. But from round 7, under the guidance of coach Vu Hong Viet, the team started to get back on track and never left the top two positions from then until the end of the tournament.

This stability does not come by accident. The team has shown the ability to rotate players appropriately, deal with injuries and maintain a consistent style of play throughout a 9-month journey. If Nam Dinh were a phenomenon last season, this season they are the true champions, with stable performance and the highest scoring efficiency in the tournament.

The team from Thanh Nam no longer depends on one superstar, but on a team with many diverse and sharp attacking options. If the attack line helps Nam Dinh stand out in terms of efficiency, the defense is the foundation that brings coach Vu Hong Viet and his team to the championship. After 25 rounds, the team from Thanh Nam has only conceded less than 20 goals, the least in the tournament. This number is much higher than last season (37 goals conceded), showing clear progress.

Coach Vu Hong Viet has built a highly disciplined defensive system, in which the midfield provides excellent support for the defense. The central defenders are often replaced due to injuries, but the collective spirit and high tactical awareness help Nam Dinh always stand firm under the greatest pressure.

Therefore, behind the journey to successfully defend the throne is the strong mark of coach Vu Hong Viet. Not only showing his ability as a coach, he also proved his tactical vision and courage in adjusting the team's system.

When comparisons between the season with and without Xuan Son began to arise, Mr. Vu Hong Viet did not complain. On the contrary, he was steadfast in the principle that “football is a collective sport ”: “We do not put pressure on anyone. Anyone can score, anyone can take responsibility,” he affirmed in press conferences.

After 100 matches leading Nam Dinh, Coach Vu Hong Viet has more than 50 victories, won 4 titles of Best Coach of the Month and now two consecutive V.League championships, an achievement that only Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem and the late Coach Le Thuy Hai had achieved before. Xuan Son may have been the brightest star last season. But this season, the most persistent "shining" person is none other than the coach born in 1979 on the coaching bench.

Well deserved victory

Nam Dinh's journey to the championship was marked by many pivotal victories. The 3-0 victory over Hanoi FC in round 21 was a major turning point. It was not only a victory over a direct competitor, but also a strong affirmation of the champion's mettle.

In the penultimate round, during their away match at Tam Ky Stadium, Nam Dinh continued their impressive form when they defeated Quang Nam 2-0 thanks to goals from Ly Cong Hoang Anh and Lam Ti Phong. Meanwhile, Hanoi FC fell to The Cong with a score of 1-2, officially ending their hopes of winning the championship.

Nam Dinh FC is one of the most traditional football teams in Vietnam. With this year's championship, they have won the V.League twice in a row and if counting from before the V.League era, this is the third time the club has won the national championship (after 1985).

This is a big step forward for a team that struggled at the bottom of the rankings in the previous decade. From the days of Ha Nam Ninh Industry, then Nam Ha Nam Dinh, to Nam Dinh today, that journey is a symbol of perseverance and sustainable reconstruction.

Without Xuan Son, the championship still remains in Thanh Nam. It is not only a victory for a team, but also a message to the whole football industry: Don't put too much hope in an individual. Because when the collective is strong enough, every gap can be filled, with courage, solidarity and a spirit of never giving up.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/khong-ca-nhan-nao-lon-hon-tap-the-145123.html