Hoang Duc's team faces a personnel crisis ahead of the crucial match against HAGL.

06/02/2026 16:50:00 GameGladiator

Ninh Binh Club faces a tough test in the 13th round of the 2025/2026 V-League when welcoming HAGL to their home ground, with their squad seriously weakened.

After a heartbreaking 2-3 loss to CAHN in round 12, Ninh Binh must quickly recover to stay in the title race. The defeat at Hang Day Stadium not only cost them the top spot but also caused personnel problems.

The negative highlight of the match came in the 37th minute, when Dung Quang Nho was forced off early after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession. The referee’s decision completely shifted the game's dynamics, forcing Ninh Binh to play with one less player for most of the remaining time. Having reached his card limit, the 2000-born midfielder will miss the game against HAGL, leaving a significant gap in the team's midfield.

ANH (39) — Ninh Binh Club will be without Quang Nho and Thai Son in the match against HAGL due to suspension and injury (Photo: Ninh Binh FC).

In the 2025/2026 season, Quang Nho has been an indispensable part of coach Gerard Albadalejo’s tactical setup. He has appeared in 11 of 12 V-League matches, scored one goal, and played a key role in ball control, tempo regulation, and defensive support from a distance. The absence of the former HAGL player will undoubtedly impact Ninh Binh’s style of play significantly.

As if that wasn’t enough, Ninh Binh suffered another major blow when midfielder Nguyen Thai Son sustained a serious injury. During the match against CAHN, the U23 Vietnam national player suddenly fell without contact, clutching his leg in pain and had to be stretchered off. According to Bongdaplus, medical examinations revealed that Thai Son tore his anterior cruciate ligament and underwent surgery on February 6th, which means he is almost certain to be sidelined for the remainder of the 2025/2026 season.

4a218093-80d5-412a-839a-24bc561c6877-69806d34d0940 — Ninh Binh’s head coach Gerard Albadalejo has been banned from coaching for two matches.

Beyond on-field personnel issues, Ninh Binh must also compete without the direct guidance of head coach Gerard Albadalejo. After the defeat to CAHN, the Spanish coach lost his composure and confronted the main referee Razlan Joffri on the pitch. The VFF Disciplinary Committee subsequently fined him 10 million VND and imposed a two-match coaching ban in all VFF-sanctioned competitions.

Given the weakened squad and mounting pressure, the home match against HAGL in round 13 is extremely crucial for Ninh Binh. It remains an opportunity for them to secure all three points and reapply pressure on CAHN in the championship race. On the other hand, although HAGL is considered to have a weaker squad, they will certainly try to exploit their opponent’s disadvantages to achieve a favorable result.

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After the heartbreaking 2-3 loss to CAHN in round 12, Ninh Binh must quickly recover to maintain their title challenge. The defeat at Hang Day Stadium not only cost them first place but also caused personnel setbacks.

The negative highlight of the match came in the 37th minute, when Dung Quang Nho was forced off early after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession. The referee’s decision completely altered the match's balance, forcing Ninh Binh to play with one fewer player for most of the remaining time. Having reached his card limit, the 2000-born midfielder will miss the game against HAGL, creating a large gap in the team's midfield.

Ninh Binh Club will be without Quang Nho and Thai Son in the match against HAGL due to suspension and injury (Photo: Ninh Binh FC).

In the 2025/2026 season, Quang Nho has been an essential link in coach Gerard Albadalejo’s tactical formation. He has played in 11 of 12 V-League matches, scored one goal, and been vital in ball control, pace regulation, and long-range defensive support. The absence of the former HAGL player will surely affect Ninh Binh’s gameplay significantly.

Moreover, Ninh Binh suffered another heavy blow as midfielder Nguyen Thai Son suffered a severe injury. In the match against CAHN, the U23 Vietnam international suddenly fell without contact, clutching his leg in pain and had to be stretchered off. According to Bongdaplus, medical tests confirmed Thai Son has torn his anterior cruciate ligament and underwent surgery on February 6th, which means he will almost certainly be out for the rest of the 2025/2026 season.

Ninh Binh’s head coach Gerard Albadalejo has been suspended for two matches.

Besides on-field personnel challenges, Ninh Binh must play without the direct leadership of head coach Gerard Albadalejo. After the loss to CAHN, the Spanish coach lost his temper and confronted referee Razlan Joffri on the field. The VFF Disciplinary Committee later fined him 10 million VND and banned him from coaching for two matches in all VFF competitions.

In a context of a weakened squad and intense pressure, the home game against HAGL in round 13 is extremely important for Ninh Binh. It is still seen as a chance to secure all three points and reapply pressure on CAHN in the title race. Conversely, although HAGL is considered weaker in squad quality, they will surely try to maximize their opponent’s weaknesses to seek a positive outcome.