Nam Dinh secured a 1-0 victory over PVF-CAND in round 15 of the V-League 2025-2026 tonight, marking their second consecutive win. Despite the win, the match was notably defined by striker Nguyen Xuan Son's string of missed chances and a dramatic late goal from Lucas Alves.

Most of the visitors' clear opportunities fell to Son, who seemed to be plagued by bad luck. In the 17th minute, Lam Ti Phong dribbled from the left and passed into the penalty area, slightly off to the right wing. Son's diagonal shot was powerful but narrowly missed the post. Three minutes later, center-back Pham Ly Duc slipped in the box, allowing the 1997-born striker to control the ball and unleash a powerful volley. However, PVF-CAND goalkeeper Phi Minh Long made a brilliant save, pushing the ball onto the crossbar and out of play. In the 29th minute, from a corner kick on the left wing, Minh Long rushed out and missed punching the ball near the near post. Despite an open goal, Son tapped the ball wide after a moment of surprise, bending over and holding his head in disbelief. Another chance came in the 64th minute after Ababa Chadrac attempted to pass the ball into the penalty area. Son, with a PVF-CAND player closing in, unleashed a low shot, but Minh Long quickly came out and used his foot to block it, sending the ball hitting the left post before Vo Anh Quan cleared it away from goal.

Nam Dinh striker Nguyen Xuan Son (in white) plays in the 1-0 victory against PVF-CAND in round 15 of V-League 2025-2026, at PVF stadium in Hung Yen on 8/3. *Photo: Nam Dinh FC*

PVF-CAND's goalkeeper, Phi Minh Long, was a standout performer, making several crucial saves throughout the match. The former Vietnam U23 goalkeeper further showcased his brilliant performance in the 74th minute. From about 20 m, substitute midfielder Nguyen Tuan Anh shot towards the top left corner, but Minh Long used his fingertips to push the ball onto the top edge of the crossbar and out of play. His heroics almost ensured a point for the home side.

Nam Dinh center-back Lucas Alves celebrates his 90th-minute goal against PVF-CAND. *Photo: Nam Dinh FC*

However, the deadlock was finally broken in the 90th minute. During an attacking surge, center-back Lucas Alves met a cross from the left wing with a header that bounced off the ground, then hit the inside of the right post, leaving Minh Long helpless. Alves spread his arms and looked up to the sky in prayer, before his teammates and coaching staff rushed in to celebrate. Alves's goal was a deserved reward for the team that played better.

The narrow margin of victory was nearly undone in injury time, as Nam Dinh's crossbar rattled in the 5th minute of injury time, following a powerful free-kick from 25 m by Lucas Turci. The win gives Nam Dinh their second consecutive victory, moving them up to 9th place with 18 points. Meanwhile, PVF-CAND returned to the bottom of the table with 11 points, level with Da Nang, but with an inferior goal difference (-14 compared to -6), having also played one more match.

Starting Lineups:

PVF-CAND: Phi Minh Long, Vo Anh Quan, Pham Ly Duc, Vu Tin, Lucas Turci, Xuan Bac, David Alastair, Thanh Nhan, Anh Tuan, Thai Ba Dat, Hoang Vu Samson

Nam Dinh: Tran Nguyen Manh, Lucas Alves, Dang Van Toi, Tran Van Kien, Van Vi, Ly Cong Hoang Anh, Romulo, To Van Vu, Xuan Son, Chadrac Ababa, Lam Ti Phong.

Hieu Luong