Ninh Binh, 27 August, 2025 – The early fixtures of Round 3 in the V.League 1 – 2025/2026 on August 27 delivered plenty of excitement, with reigning champions Nam Dinh battling hard to secure three points at home, while newly-promoted Ninh Binh continued their dream run to remain the only team with a perfect record this season.
At Thien Truong Stadium, Nam Dinh faced unexpected difficulties against PVF-CAND. The visitors stunned the home crowd when they took the lead late in the first half, capitalizing on defensive lapses from the champions. Despite dominating possession, Nam Dinh struggled to find the breakthrough before the interval, as PVF-CAND showcased solid organization and resilience.
The turning point came shortly after the restart. In the 52nd minute, PVF-CAND’s Alain accidentally put the ball into his own net, gifting Nam Dinh the equalizer they had been chasing. The goal lifted the pressure on coach Vu Hong Viet’s side, who began to push forward with greater intensity. Fourteen minutes later, Brazilian forward Caio César found the decisive strike in the 66th minute, coolly finishing to seal a hard-fought 2-1 comeback victory for Nam Dinh. The win was crucial for the defending champions as they look to stay in touch with the league’s early frontrunners.
Meanwhile, at Hoa Xuan Stadium, Ninh Binh continued to assert themselves as the surprise package of the season. Despite conceding an early goal to hosts Da Nang, the V.League 1 newcomers showed remarkable composure. Brazilian striker Gustavo Henrique led the charge, scoring twice in the first half to overturn the deficit and give Ninh Binh a 2-1 lead heading into halftime.
In the second half, Ninh Binh remained disciplined and sharp in transition. Their dominance was rewarded in the 70th minute when Geovane added a third goal after a clever assist from Hoang Duc, sealing a commanding 3-1 victory. It was the club’s third consecutive win in their debut V.League 1 campaign, a feat that now sees them sitting proudly at the top of the standings.
With nine points from three matches, Ninh Binh are the only team to have won all their games so far this season, making them the early pace-setters in the V-League 2025/2026. Their blend of experienced foreign recruits and local talent has quickly turned them into a serious contender, defying all pre-season predictions.
For Nam Dinh, the narrow win over PVF-CAND ensures they remain in the title race despite an inconsistent start. For Ninh Binh, however, the momentum is growing, and their perfect record is sending a strong message to the rest of the league: the newcomers are here not just to survive, but to compete at the very top.
Kim Tuyen
Leave a Reply