Ninh Binh, 29 September, 2025 – Ninh Binh are facing a severe setback ahead of their crucial V.League 1 2025/2026 Round 6 clash with The Cong Viettel, scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on October 2 at their home ground. Head coach Albadalejo Castano Gerard’s side have been dealt a major blow with the loss of midfielder Chau Ngoc Quang to a potentially long-term injury.
The incident occurred in the early minutes of Ninh Binh’s Round 5 encounter against Hai Phong. Just 10 minutes into the match, Ngoc Quang went down awkwardly following a challenge and was stretchered off the field in visible pain. Initial medical assessments from the club’s staff suggest a serious ligament injury, with the possibility of a torn cruciate ligament.
The midfielder’s knee is still heavily swollen, preventing him from undergoing more detailed scans immediately. Ninh Binh plan to send Ngoc Quang to Ho Chi Minh City later this week for comprehensive tests to confirm the full extent of the damage. However, early indications suggest he could be sidelined for anywhere between six to nine months, ruling him out for the majority of the season.
This is a devastating blow not only for Ninh Binh but also for the Vietnam national team. Ngoc Quang, a former Hoang Anh Gia Lai midfielder with significant V.League experience, has been a key part of the squad’s midfield stability. His absence will be felt both at club level and on the international stage.
With the injury, Ngoc Quang is certain to miss Vietnam’s two upcoming Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers against Nepal in October. He is also a major doubt for the crucial clash with Malaysia early next year, a match likely to have a significant impact on Vietnam’s qualification hopes.
For Ninh Binh, the timing could not be worse. The newly promoted side have shown promising form in their debut top-flight campaign, but the absence of their influential midfielder poses a serious challenge as they prepare to face an in-form The Cong Viettel. Coach Gerard will now be forced to look for tactical adjustments and replacements within his squad to fill the void left by Ngoc Quang.
This setback continues a worrying trend for Vietnamese football in 2025, with several key players across both the V.League and the national team already sidelined by injuries requiring surgery or lengthy rehabilitation. With the season still in its early stages, Ninh Binh’s ability to adapt without Ngoc Quang will be closely watched, as their ambitions of establishing themselves in V.League 1 may now face greater uncertainty.
Hong Phuc
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