Ho Chi Minh City FC’s struggles continued as they fell 3-0 to Nam Dinh in Round 7 of the 2024-2025 V-League season, extending their winless run to six matches without scoring.
Since Round 3, Ho Chi Minh City has faced a string of losses, going down 0-2 to Hanoi FC and 0-3 to Binh Duong, followed by goalless draws against Quang Nam and Song Lam Nghe An. They were also eliminated from the National Cup in a 0-0 draw with Phu Dong Ninh Binh, ultimately losing 3-4 in the penalty shootout.
On the evening of November 11 at Thong Nhat Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City entered with an opportunity to surprise Nam Dinh, who were fatigued due to a tight schedule and missing three key attacking players: Hendrio (fitness issues), Nguyen Xuan Son, and Nguyen Van Toan (both injured). Coach Phung Thanh Phuong’s squad matched Nam Dinh well and even created multiple scoring opportunities, yet failed to capitalize.
In the 13th minute, Thanh Khoi threaded a pass down the center to Bui Ngoc Long, who sprinted down the right flank but missed narrowly with a shot past the near post. Just two minutes later, a turnover from Nguyen Phong Hong Duy presented another chance, allowing Ho Chi Minh City to launch a quick counterattack, but Erik Sorga’s left-footed volley went wide.
The game remained tight with few clear chances until the 45th minute when Nam Dinh took the lead. Joseph Mpande set up the play from the right, passing to Ly Cong Hoang Anh, who delivered a cross for Tran Van Dat to slot in with a left-footed finish at the far post.
Just before halftime, Ho Chi Minh City missed a critical chance to equalize. Following a right-sided corner, Adriano Schmidt headed the ball back across to Sorga, who volleyed over the bar. Moments later, Nam Dinh struck again with a near-identical play. Van Dat again finished with a left-footed strike into the bottom right corner, leaving goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang beaten.
Four minutes into the second half, Nam Dinh added a third goal. Ly Cong Hoang Anh completed a hat-trick of assists by driving through the middle and feeding Mpande in the box. The Nam Dinh striker controlled the ball, spun, and unleashed a powerful shot into the top left corner, leaving Patrik Le Giang helpless.
The defensive solidity that Ho Chi Minh City had been known for in the 2023-2024 V-League season seemed to have vanished, while their attack remained ineffective.
In the 61st minute, a midfield turnover from Caio Cesar allowed Ho Chi Minh City to launch a swift attack, with Thanh Khoi forcing a save from Nguyen Manh, but Sorga’s follow-up shot sailed over the crossbar. Thanh Khoi had two more clear chances in the 63rd and 64th minutes but missed both times. Endrick Parafita then struck the crossbar in the 76th minute with a curling shot, adding to the frustration.
This loss marked Ho Chi Minh City’s third defeat of the season, dropping them to 11th place with six points, tied with Quang Nam but trailing on goal difference (-7 compared to -5). They now sit just two points above the bottom of the table. Meanwhile, Nam Dinh moved up to second place with 13 points, one point behind leaders Thanh Hoa.
In Round 8, Ho Chi Minh City will stay at Thong Nhat Stadium to face Hanoi Police FC, while Nam Dinh will host bottom-ranked Da Nang at Thien Truong Stadium.
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