Ninh Binh, 27 October 2025 – A late header from Lucas Alves in the 89th minute rescued defending champions Nam Dinh from a fourth consecutive defeat, securing a 1-1 draw against Da Nang in Round 8 of the V.League 1 2025-2026, amid a severe injury crisis and fragile team morale at Thien Truong Stadium on October 27.
Defending champions Nam Dinh struggled once again in their V.League 1 campaign but managed to avoid another defeat thanks to a crucial late goal by Lucas Alves, which salvaged a 1-1 draw against Da Nang on home ground.
Before the match, Nam Dinh were hit hard by a string of injuries. The team was without key players such as Nguyen Tuan Anh, Nguyen Phong Hong Duy, Caio Cesar, Percy Tau, Kyle Hudlin, and Kevin Pham Ba, while forwards Nguyen Xuan Son and Nguyen Van Toan also remained sidelined due to long-term injuries.
Although Nam Dinh are allowed to register seven foreign players as a continental cup participant, their squad depth has been severely depleted. Njabulo Blom tore his ligament shortly after the registration deadline, and by the time they faced Da Nang, three other foreign players were injured, with Romulo only fit enough for the bench. As a result, Nam Dinh could only field Brenner and Lucas Alves among their foreign signings.
The crisis was so deep that the club barely met the minimum 18-player requirement for match registration — including three goalkeepers. Head coach Nguyen Trung Kien even prepared for the emergency scenario of pushing goalkeeper Tran Nguyen Manh upfield as a striker if needed. “The coaching staff informed me before the match,” Nguyen Manh revealed after the game. “We’re going through a very tough phase, both in terms of personnel and performance.”
Nam Dinh entered this fixture just three days after parting ways with head coach Vu Hong Viet, who moved into the role of Technical Director, while Nguyen Trung Kien took over as head coach. The quick transition offered little time for tactical adjustments, leaving the team to rely largely on psychological motivation.
After a bright start, Nam Dinh fell behind in the 14th minute. From a right-wing attack, David Henen’s cross was parried by goalkeeper Nguyen Manh, and after several failed clearance attempts, Nguyen Phi Hoang’s mishit shot unexpectedly looped into the net to put Da Nang ahead.
The home side’s confidence dipped further after conceding. Left-back Nguyen Van Vi repeatedly misplaced crosses, and To Van Vu was forced off with an injury after 26 minutes. Their best first-half chance came in the 38th minute, but Lam Ti Phong squandered a one-on-one opportunity against goalkeeper Phan Van Bieu.
In the second half, Romulo was brought on to strengthen the midfield, but Nam Dinh’s attacks lacked penetration until coach Kien decided to push Lucas Alves, the 1.93m centre-back, forward as a striker in the 75th minute. The tactical shift paid off in the dying moments as Lucas rose high to head home from Romulo’s left-wing cross, sealing a dramatic 1-1 draw in the 89th minute.
The result snapped Nam Dinh’s three-match losing streak, though the team is still winless in five consecutive league games. With 8 points after eight rounds, the reigning champions sit eighth on the table, trailing leaders Ninh Binh by 12 points. Da Nang, meanwhile, climbed off the bottom with 6 points, edging Hoang Anh Gia Lai on goal difference (-5 vs. -6).
Kim Tuyen
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