Goalkeeper Nguyen Manh is ready to play as a striker in Nam Dinh.

Due to lack of players and injury storm, Nam Dinh Club plans to move goalkeeper Tran Nguyen Manh to play as a striker from round 8 of V-League 2025-2026.

Goalkeeper Nguyen Manh mentally prepares to play as a striker - Photo: ANH KHOA

In the match against Da Nang Club in round 8 taking place on the evening of October 27, Nam Dinh Club registered a list of 3 goalkeepers. Of which, Tran Nguyen Manh was the main goalkeeper, the remaining 2 goalkeepers were on the bench.

The home team's two reserve goalkeepers are Tran Liem Dieu and Le Vu Phong, both born in 2001. The remaining 5 players are also the last 5 substitutions of Nam Dinh Club in this match.

The reason the defending champions are short-handed is because most of their players are sick or injured. According to the rules, each team must register at least 5 and a maximum of 9 substitutes for the match.

After the match ended with a score of 1-1, goalkeeper Tran Nguyen Manh said: "The coaching staff told me in advance about the possibility of promoting me to play as a striker when there are no more substitution options.

I am also mentally prepared if I have to go up to compete. As you know, Nam Dinh Club is suffering a huge loss of personnel due to injuries and illnesses."

The Vietnamese national team goalkeeper also expressed his affection for former coach Vu Hong Viet. Mr. Viet resigned and became technical director, giving way to Mr. Nguyen Trung Kien to replace him.

Center back Lucas stepped up to play as a striker and equalized 1-1 - Photo: ANH KHOA

Goalkeeper Nguyen Manh is optimistic: "Football has its ups and downs. Nam Dinh Club is trying to overcome difficulties and personnel crisis to soon return to its form like the last two seasons."

In the match against the bottom team Da Nang , Nam Dinh FC played sluggishly throughout the match. They let Nguyen Phi Hoang score in the 14th minute and it was not until the 89th minute that Lucas equalized.

This result shows that after 8 rounds, the defending champion Nam Dinh only earned an average of 1 point/match. They are ranked 8th, 12 points behind the leading team Ninh Binh .

If this personnel crisis is not resolved soon, the audience will soon see goalkeeper Nguyen Manh playing as a striker instead of his teammates.

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QUANG THINH

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thu-mon-nguyen-manh-san-sang-da-tien-dao-o-nam-dinh-20251027205329047.htm