Football

Rafaelson Bezerra Fernandes and his Nam Định teammates in action during their V.league 1 match against Thanh Hóa on March 8. Nam Định tops the ranking table after the first period. Photos of the club

HÀ NỘI — Nam Định has become the top title favourite of the V.League 1 due to its outstanding performance that places it in the leading position after the end of the first part of the season over the weekend.

The team has won nine matches, draw one and lost two. Having earned 29 points, Nam Định has established a three-point gap with closest rival Becamex Bình Dương.

Under coach Vũ Hồng Việt, Nam Định was most successful on its home turf, recording a unbeaten streak of five wins and one draw.

Contributing to the team's achievement were outstanding performances by Rafaelson Bezerra Fernandes and Hendrio Araujo Dasilva, who are among the best foreign players in Việt Nam.

The duo has scored 18 of Nam Định's 29 goals after 13 matches.

The team's local players were also at their peak. They were a combination of experienced players, such as national goalkeeper Trần Nguyên Mạnh, striker Nguyễn Văn Toàn and midfielder Tô Văn Vũ, and young talented ones, such as midfielder Lý Công Hoàng Anh and defender Ngô Đức Huy.

In its latest move, Nam Định announced a deal to bring veteran Nguyễn Tuấn Anh home from Hoàng Anh Gia Lai FC on March 11.

Midfielder Nguyễn Tuấn Anh will play for Nam Định until the end of the season.

"Nam Định still needs to improve our midfield area and needs someone who can manage the tempo of the team and regulate the match, limiting rivals' counter-attacks. Tuấn Anh will be a perfect puzzle piece for Nam Định," coach Việt said.

He added that many clubs wanted to have a quality player like Tuấn Anh. He showed his ability at both Hoàng Anh Gia Lai and the national team. He is one of the club's best contracts this season.

In his first day with the new team, Tuấn Anh said: "Nam Định is an ambitious team, eager to win the championship this season. I think I will be able to help the team now and in the future. I will appreciate the opportunity given to me, playing my best, and contributing to my new team's success. I am ready to conquer the challenge."

The national premier league will have a two-week rest as the national team will play two 2026 World Cup qualification matches against Indonesia. It will resume on March 30.

The 29-year-old Tuấn Anh will make his debut as Nam Định visits Hà Nội on March 31. His contract will last until the end of the 2023-24 season. VNS