Ninh Binh has not secured a win since early 2026. The team suffered consecutive defeats to Cong an Ha Noi (CAHN) 2-3, HAGL 1-2, and Nam Dinh 2-3. These results led to the dismissal of coach Gerard Albadalejo, with technical director Vu Tien Thanh brought in from HAGL as his replacement, just four days before hosting da nang.

At ninh binh stadium, coach Vu Tien Thanh largely maintained the starting lineup and playing style. The team controlled the game before opening the scoring in the 20th minute. Gustavo Henrique passed the ball to the right wing for Truong Tien Anh to cross into the penalty area. The Brazilian forward then headed the ball, which deflected off center-back Nguyen Duc Anh, changing direction into the net.

Ninh Binh FC captain Nguyen Hoang Duc (red jersey) shows disappointment during the one-one draw against da nang in V-League 2025-2026 round 15 at ninh binh stadium on 7/3/2026. *Photo: VPF*

However, the subsequent period saw ninh binh lose control, as their opponents launched continuous attacks, forcing Dang Van Lam to make exceptional saves to keep the score level. In the 23rd minute, the 1993-born goalkeeper denied Lucas Ribamar's close-range header and Joel Pissano's long-range shot. Seven minutes later, Ribamar's left-footed shot towards the right corner was again thwarted by Van Lam. In the 67th minute, the Vietnamese-overseas goalkeeper made another save from a long-range shot, leaving Pissano clutching his head in frustration.

Van Lam was finally beaten in the 70th minute following a teammate's mistake. Patrick Marcelino miscontrolled the ball in the penalty area, allowing Phan Van Long to steal it and break through, before delivering a perfect assist for Ribamar to score the equalizer.

At the other end, Nguyen Van Toan also delivered an impressive performance. In the 58th minute, the former U23 Vietnam goalkeeper pushed away Imoh Friday's close-range header, then made another brilliant reflex save from Duc Chien's diving follow-up header.

For the final 15 minutes, the ball was almost exclusively in da nang's half. Many clear-cut opportunities were created but squandered. In the 80th minute, Geovane's close-range shot was blocked on the goal line by naturalized Brazilian center-back Do Phi Long. In the 89th minute, Hoang Duc's powerful long-range shot narrowly missed the right post. Subsequently, the 1998-born midfielder threaded a pass for Friday, who beat both a defender and goalkeeper Van Toan, but his shot into an open net hit Duc Anh and then the right post.

That missed chance left all ninh binh players stunned. Hoang Duc clutched his head in anguish, while some teammates lay on the ground in disappointment. The three added minutes were not enough for ninh binh to score again, forcing them to accept a one-one draw in the new coach's debut match.

Ninh Binh now shares 28 points with The Cong but occupies second place due to a superior goal difference (+12 compared to +8), although they have played one more match. However, the championship race is slipping further away, as they are now seven points behind CAHN and have played two more matches.

At the bottom of the table, da nang pushed PVF-CAND down to 14th position. Both teams have 11 points, but da nang has a better goal difference (-6 compared to -13).

Tomorrow, 8/3, PVF-CAND will host Nam Dinh, while CAHN will play the capital derby against Ha Noi FC.

Starting lineups

Ninh Binh: Dang Van Lam, Patrick Marcelino, Do Thanh Thinh, Tran Bao Toan, Truong Tien Anh, Le Ngoc Bao, Dung Quang Nho, Duc Chien, Hoang Duc, Geovane Magno, Gustavo Henrique

Da Nang: Van Toan, Que Ngoc Hai, Do Phi Long, Hong Phuc, Dang Anh Tuan, Joel Pissano, Phi Hoang, Tran Ngoc Son, Phan Van Long, Lucas Ribamar, Vo Nguyen Hoang.

Hieu Luong