In Round 12 of the 2024/2025 V-League season, Nam Dinh FC struggled to a 1-1 draw against Thanh Hoa in a match marred by the absence of key players like Van Toan, Hendrio, and especially Nguyen Xuan Son. The team from Nam Dinh lacked creativity and only managed to score from a corner kick.
Van Toan and Xuan Son were sidelined due to injuries sustained during the 2024 ASEAN Cup, ruling them out of the game. Addressing Hendrio’s absence, head coach Vu Hong Viet explained, “Nam Dinh only has one domestic striker, Minh Tuan. The team needs a foreign forward upfront, so I had to push Mpande into the forward position. Lucas was required in defense to ensure stability, while Caio Cesar has been performing exceptionally well in midfield. That left Hendrio out of the lineup.”
Mpande, primarily an attacking midfielder, was forced into a makeshift striker role due to the lack of an out-and-out forward. Despite his efforts, Nam Dinh’s attack lacked sharpness, underlining the impact of Xuan Son’s absence.
Xuan Son’s injury is proving to be a significant blow for Nam Dinh. The Thien Truong Stadium side may need to bolster their attack by signing a new striker to improve their goal-scoring capabilities in the coming weeks.
“Our goal remains to win the championship,” said coach Vu Hong Viet. “However, our immediate priority is to overcome the current challenges. The shortage of players has caused headaches for me. It has led to many changes in the lineup, forcing me to rethink strategies and adjust for each game. In the near future, Nam Dinh must secure a foreign striker with goal-scoring ability to replace Xuan Son while he recovers.”
The coach’s remarks reflect the pressing need for reinforcements as Nam Dinh aims to stay competitive and maintain their championship aspirations amidst their current struggles.
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