Ninh Binh, 14 March 2026 – Ninh Binh FC extended their winless run in V.League 1 2025–2026 to five matches after suffering a 1–2 defeat to Hanoi Police FC in Round 16 on the evening of March 14.
Before this round, Ninh Binh had already experienced a difficult spell, losing 2–3 to Hanoi Police FC, 1–2 to Hoang Anh Gia Lai, 2–3 to Nam Dinh, and drawing 1–1 with Da Nang. The poor run caused the team to slip from the top of the table to third place with 28 points, while Hanoi Police FC remained firmly at the summit with a seven-point advantage and one match still in hand.
Playing at home was seen as a crucial opportunity for Ninh Binh to close the gap and revive their title hopes. However, the match began in the worst possible way for the hosts. In just the second minute, center-back Patrick Marcelino miscontrolled the ball inside his own area, allowing Alan Grafite to calmly place a left-footed shot into the bottom corner, leaving goalkeeper Dang Van Lam helpless.
It was the Brazilian defender’s second costly mistake in consecutive matches, following a similar error that led to a goal in the 1–1 draw against Da Nang.
The early setback disrupted Ninh Binh’s game plan under coach Vu Tien Thanh. Although Hanoi Police FC soon suffered a blow when Alan Grafite had to leave the field with a recurring injury in the 15th minute, replaced by Nguyen Dinh Bac, the visitors continued to control the match and create several dangerous chances.
Just three minutes after coming on, Dinh Bac nearly doubled the lead with a shot that narrowly missed the right post. He also produced a clever flicked header in the 42nd minute that drifted just wide. Between those moments, Leo Artur tested Dang Van Lam with a powerful long-range effort in the 37th minute.
In the second half, Ninh Binh struggled to match the cohesion of their opponents in midfield. The visitors eventually extended their lead in the 63rd minute. Leo Artur carried the ball down the left before sending a pass inside. Cao Pendant Quang Vinh laid it off for Le Pham Thanh Long, who had time and space to strike from distance, sending the ball bouncing into the bottom corner to make it 2–0.
Facing defeat, coach Vu Tien Thanh made bold changes by introducing several U23 players from the 75th minute, including Le Van Thuan, Nguyen Le Phat, Tran Thanh Trung, and Nguyen Quoc Viet. Their energy and pressing quickly lifted the tempo of the home side.
The young players made an immediate impact in the 87th minute. After a precise through ball from Nguyen Quoc Viet, Pham Gia Hung controlled the ball neatly inside the penalty area before firing a left-footed shot through the legs of goalkeeper Nguyen Filip to reduce the deficit.
Despite pushing forward during the four minutes of stoppage time, Ninh Binh could not complete a comeback. When Korean referee Kim Woo-sung blew the final whistle, disappointment was evident across the home side. The defeat left Ninh Binh 10 points behind Hanoi Police FC, having played one more match.
Ninh Binh will look to end their disappointing run when they host PVF-CAND in the National Cup quarterfinals on March 21. After that, the team will have nearly two weeks to regroup during the international break as players join the national team for the FIFA international window.
Kim Tuyen
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