Even with a costly roster and strong foreign talents, Thép Xanh Nam Định has failed to impress, enduring a streak of ten matches without winning in the current V.League season.
Boasting a well-regarded group of foreign players, a deep squad, and having shown impressive form in regional competitions, the defending champions Thép Xanh Nam Định entered the season with very high expectations. The Nam Định club was even valued by Transfermarkt among the top in Southeast Asia, establishing itself as a serious contender for the championship. However, what is happening in the V.League is completely the opposite.
Nam Định is currently on a run of 10 consecutive matches without a win in domestic competition, a figure that worries their supporters. From playing explosively, remaining unbeaten, and confident in the ASEAN Club Championship, the team has lost stability upon returning to the V.League. A lack of cohesion, poor chance conversion, and defensive errors have caused them to drop points repeatedly at crucial moments.
Notably, striker Nguyễn Xuân Sơn, once expected to make a difference, has yet to score a goal in this V.League season. The silence from this key forward has left Nam Định’s attack without a reliable focal point, increasing pressure on the supporting players.
As a result, Nam Định currently shares points with Đông Á Thanh Hóa, a team struggling with many personnel issues, and is only one point above the relegation zone. This narrow margin makes every upcoming match crucial for survival.
Football is not decided solely by the squad’s value on paper. Psychological stability, resilience in critical moments, and maintaining form are the key factors. With their current resources, Nam Định still has the capacity to turn things around, but if they don’t regain efficiency and confidence soon, the threat of being dragged into a relegation battle will no longer be a distant warning.