Xuan Son awaits his first goal as Nam Dinh looks to reclaim status against HAGL

Thep Xanh Nam Dinh enter the 2026/26 LPBank V-League season with an almost rebuilt face. The team from Nam Dinh once spent heavily to chase the title, but only finished sixth, leaving fans disappointed. Now they are no longer noisy in the transfer market; instead, they choose a leaner operation, placing faith in local players and new foreign signings. In the opening match against HAGL at Thien Truong Stadium, all eyes will be on striker Nguyen Xuan Son, who has just returned from the 2026 ASEAN Cup and is eager to open his goal account. Last season, Nam Dinh caused great disappointment. They had a highly rated squad and strong investment, but the result was only sixth place. Expectations from fans were huge, especially since the club had made impressions on the continental stage. The failure to compete for the title forced the board to rethink the entire development plan. So instead of continuing to spend heavily, they decided to run a tighter operation, keeping suitable elements and adding quality from the domestic market. Last summer, Nam Dinh parted ways with five foreign players at once, including Brenner, Akolo, Lucas Alves, Mahmoud Eid, and Mitchell Dijks. All of them had left their mark, but the technical staff believed a new direction was needed. They signed Caio Cesar, Romulo, Lu Sambal, and Ezequiel Santos Da Silva as replacements. Meanwhile, the new domestic signings Trinh Xuan Hoang, Tran Manh Quynh, Dam Tien Dung, and Pham Tuan Hai are seen as pieces that can make the team more balanced between the lines. Coach Vu Hong Viet is facing the challenge of team cohesion. With most of the old foreigners gone, he must rebuild the machine based on Vietnamese players. Pham Tuan Hai, the young striker who just arrived, would be the most suitable partner for Xuan Son in attack. In theory, this duo could make Nam Dinh more flexible in both central and wide attacking situations. Xuan Son is not only good at positioning but also knows how to move to stretch the opponent's defense. Tuan Hai, with his youth and willingness to fight, can create space for his teammate. However, public expectation on Xuan Son is significant. He just went through a campaign with Vietnam at the 2026 ASEAN Cup, where young players like him were expected to grow tremendously. Back at his club, Xuan Son understands that goals are the clearest measure of form. Before the match, the striker expressed determination to open his account in the opening game. But pressure is the most dangerous thing. If he is too impatient, he could easily miss good chances against a HAGL side that will surely sit deep. HAGL should not be underestimated. This season, the team from Pleiku has set survival as the top priority. They have parted ways with Quang Kiet and Chau Ngoc Quang, two important midfield pillars. Their departure has significantly reduced squad depth. Without a thick squad, HAGL will almost certainly opt for a defensive counterattacking style. They are not afraid to let Nam Dinh dominate possession, as long as they remain compact in front of their box. HAGL have caused difficulties for many big teams thanks to their fighting spirit. If Nam Dinh lose patience early in the first half, the problem becomes more complicated. The key lies in the home team's ability to break down a massed defense. In recent training sessions, coach Vu Hong Viet likely required his players to speed up on the wings, using early crosses to exploit the aerial ability of the foreign players. However, the midfield must work with high intensity to control the game. Tran Manh Quynh, a new addition, could play a key role in regulating the tempo. If the midfield does not win duels, Nam Dinh may fall into a stalemate against a team hungry for points. Meanwhile, the race for survival and the title race will be fierce. Thanh Hoa, after resolving financial problems, aim to beat SHB Da Nang at home to build momentum. This is considered a fairly balanced match, as SHB Da Nang are always difficult to play against when they can rely on counterattacks. At the same time, new team Bac Ninh are also receiving attention as they debut at Song Lam Nghe An's stadium. A surprise result in the opening round could reshape the landscape of the whole season. For Nam Dinh alone, the HAGL game is not only about three points. It is also a chance to prove that the squad overhaul is heading in the right direction. A convincing victory will help new signings integrate quickly and create belief among home fans. Conversely, if they only manage a draw or worse, pressure will immediately return to the coaching staff. In the V-League, the first two matches always carry huge psychological weight. Teams that start slowly often struggle for a long time to regain momentum. Xuan Son's challenge is not simply about scoring. The important thing is that he must balance desire and calmness. A striker who waits for the right moment is far more dangerous than one who constantly charges into the box without choosing the best option. HAGL will pack many bodies behind the ball, so Xuan Son's intelligent movement in the space between the two centre-backs could make the difference. Remember that new teammate Pham Tuan Hai is also very good at making runs in behind. If the two understand each other, Nam Dinh's attack will become unpredictable. For HAGL, they have the psychological advantage of not being highly rated. The head coach of the Pleiku side certainly has his own plans to relieve pressure from the home team. Fighting spirit, determination, and perhaps a little luck could help them leave with a point. But if HAGL are too passive and only defend, they will allow Nam Dinh's attacking players to push higher. Therefore, keeping a fast counterattack rhythm is vital for the visitors. The season context also shows that the competition in the middle group will be intense. Nam Dinh want to return to the top group, so they need to be stable from the first round. While many other big teams may struggle with congested fixtures, Nam Dinh only focus on the V-League and the National Cup. This could be an advantage in terms of fitness, but it also creates pressure to get good results in every match. Thien Truong fans will not easily accept excuses after an unfavourable result. From a professional perspective, Nam Dinh need to improve their chance conversion. Last season, the team often created dangerous situations but lacked sharp finishing. The addition of Ezequiel Santos Da Silva in attack shows they want to strengthen their presence in the box. However, Vietnamese football is not only about long balls and heading. Short combinations in central areas, pulling the ball toward the box and playing quick one-twos, will help Nam Dinh become more flexible against deep defenses. HAGL may give up possession, but they will close the central zones tightly. Therefore, the home side should use set pieces effectively as a weapon to unlock the game. The crowd factor cannot be ignored. Thien Truong Stadium is famous for its passionate atmosphere. In the opening match, Nam Dinh fans are expected to create huge pressure on the visitors. This can inspire the home players, but it can also lead to anxiety if the goal does not come. Coach Vu Hong Viet needs backup plans to adjust personnel in time, instead of letting the team follow the emotions of the stands. Looking at the bigger picture, the opening round always contains surprises. Highly rated teams can slip because they are not fully prepared, while weaker teams often play with a nothing-to-lose mentality. The match between Nam Dinh and HAGL is a typical example. On paper, the home side are superior, but football is not decided on paper. If Xuan Son and his teammates remain patient and follow the game plan, victory will come. If they let HAGL turn the match into a tight battle, everything is possible. The season is still long, but signals from the first round usually leave a lasting echo. Nam Dinh need not only three points; they need a performance to ease the doubts left by a disappointing season. HAGL need points as a mental boost for their difficult relegation fight ahead. Therefore, this match promises to be more intense and emotional than people might think. Can Xuan Son score right in front of the home crowd? The answer will come after ninety minutes at Thien Truong Stadium.