Quang Nam, 15 June, 2025 – Nam Dinh FC have officially secured the 2024–2025 V.League 1 championship after a commanding 2-0 win over Quang Nam in the penultimate round on June 15, reaching an unassailable 54 points—eight ahead of second-placed Hanoi with just one match remaining.
This marks the second consecutive season that Nam Dinh have clinched the title with a game to spare. Their triumph this year comes as little surprise, given their consistent form throughout the campaign and their swift reinforcement of the squad after losing key players like naturalized striker Xuan Son and Nguyen Van Toan to early-season injuries. Thanks to strong financial backing from their sponsors, Nam Dinh were able to quickly bring in quality replacements to maintain their momentum.
Heading into the match at Tam Ky Stadium, Nam Dinh needed only a draw to secure the title regardless of Hanoi’s result. Coach Vu Hong Viet fielded his strongest lineup, and the visitors quickly asserted dominance. In the 7th minute, a handball by a Quang Nam defender initially led to a penalty for Nam Dinh, but the decision was overturned due to an offside spotted by the assistant referee.
Just minutes later, Nam Dinh struck. In the 10th minute, a fluid attacking move saw Brenner Marlos combine with Ly Cong Hoang Anh, who calmly beat goalkeeper Nguyen Van Cong in a one-on-one to open the scoring. It was Hoang Anh’s sixth goal of the season, second only to Xuan Son, who had an impressive tally despite being sidelined for most of the season due to injury.
Nam Dinh continued to dominate, with Nguyen Tuan Anh orchestrating play from midfield and both wings—led by Nguyen Phong Hong Duy and Nguyen Van Vi—offering constant threat. Quang Nam, still battling to avoid relegation, pushed forward in search of an equalizer but struggled to create clear chances. Their best opportunity came in the 28th minute when Eyenga’s close-range header went wide.
Nam Dinh nearly doubled their lead before halftime through Van Vi, who narrowly missed the target in a one-on-one. At the break, news came through that Hanoi had fallen 0-1 to The Cong Viettel, meaning Nam Dinh had clinched the title even in the event of a loss.
In the second half, Nam Dinh shifted to a more conservative style. Quang Nam saw a glimmer of hope in the 78th minute when goalkeeper Tran Nguyen Manh was deemed to have fouled Charles Atshimene, earning the hosts a penalty. However, after a four-minute VAR review, referee Tran Dinh Thinh reversed the decision, ruling that there was no foul.
Escaping that scare, Nam Dinh sealed the match in the 90th minute. Substitute Lam Ti Phong latched onto a pass from Brender and fired past the keeper to make it 2-0.
As the final whistle blew, sidelined striker Xuan Son ran onto the pitch to celebrate with his teammates. Nam Dinh’s last match of the season will be at home against Hong Linh Ha Tinh, where they will officially be crowned champions in front of their home supporters.
With 18 wins, 2 draws, and only 5 goals conceded throughout the season, Nam Dinh’s title campaign has been a showcase of dominance, depth, and resilience. The celebrations at Thien Truong Stadium promise to be nothing short of spectacular.
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