Nam Dinh, April 13, 2025 – Nam Dinh and Ho Chi Minh City FC battled to a fiery 1-1 draw in Round 18 of the V-League 2024-2025 on April 13, a match marred by two red cards and seven yellows. Tensions boiled over late at Thien Truong Stadium, disrupting a competitive affair that saw both teams trade blows.
Ho Chi Minh City FC, depleted by injuries, lost goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang pre-match, with Tran Van Tien slated to start. But after the anthems, Van Tien’s foot injury forced Nguyen Manh Cuong into action, leaving defender Adriano Schmidt as emergency backup. Despite the chaos, the visitors stunned Nam Dinh in the 10th minute. A miscued clearance by Lam Ti Phong bounced into the box, where Tran Manh pounced to fire past Tran Nguyen Manh for 1-0.
Nam Dinh, missing striker Joseph Mpande and winger Nguyen Xuan Son, relied on Nguyen Van Toan up top. The former Hoang Anh Gia Lai star squandered three clear chances in the first half, rushing shots wide. At halftime, coach Vu Hong Viet introduced Nguyen Van Vi, Bui Hoang Viet Anh, and Kevin Pham Ba. The French-Vietnamese wingback Kevin sparkled, whipping dangerous crosses, but Nam Dinh’s finishers faltered.
The equalizer came in the 60th minute. New Brazilian recruit Romulo, signed to replace Hendrio, curled a 20-meter free kick that deflected off a Ho Chi Minh City FC defender, wrong-footing Manh Cuong for 1-1. Nam Dinh pressed, but their attacks lacked precision—unlike Hanoi Police FC’s ruthlessness in a recent 3-1 win over Hoang Anh Gia Lai.
Drama erupted in the 80th minute when VAR prompted referee Nguyen Viet Duan to send off Ho Chi Minh City FC’s Dao Quoc Gia for elbowing Nam Dinh’s Nguyen Tuan Anh. Ho Chi Minh City FC’s bench protested fiercely, sparking a sideline melee. Moments later, Nam Dinh’s Duong Thanh Hao earned a yellow for a cynical foul. Then, Ho Chi Minh City FC’s Bui Ngoc Long lunged two-footed into Nguyen Van Vi, leaving him writhing. A brawl ensued, involving players, coaches, and staff.
After VAR review, Romulo shockingly received a straight red for an alleged off-ball incident, though he appeared bewildered. Ngoc Long escaped with a yellow. Two coaches also saw yellows. Despite 12 minutes of stoppage time, Nam Dinh’s late push fizzled. “We underperformed and wasted chances,” Van Toan admitted. “This draw stings, but we’ll regroup.”
Nam Dinh lead with 35 points, five ahead of Hanoi FC (one game in hand). Ho Chi Minh City FC sit 10th with 21.
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