Striker Brenner Marlos Varanda de Oliveira shines in the Nam Định FC jersey. — Photo courtesy of Nam Định

Football

NAM ĐỊNH — Striker Brenner Marlos Varanda de Oliveira is currently the most prominent name in Nam Định FC's breakthrough journey in the second phase of this V.League 1 season.

Given the opportunity to replace Nguyễn Xuân Son, who suffered a long-term injury, the Brazilian striker is responding with a convincing performance.

Without Son since early this year, Nam Định's attack fell into an alarming state. Experimental solutions proved ineffective, including Hendrio Araújo da Silva as a technical attacking midfielder unsuitable for the centre-forward role, who eventually left for Hà Nội FC. Nam Định ultimately recruited a true striker from Brazil: Brenner.

Brenner has shown he is not just a temporary solution, but a surprisingly perfect replacement, with five goals and five assists after seven matches. This performance confirms that he is the best signing the team have made towards the end of the season.

More importantly, Brenner exploded right when Nam Định needed it the most. He made his mark in a series of important victories, such as in a 3-0 match against Hà Nội, 6-1 against Hoàng Anh Gia Lai and most recently a 3-2 victory against Sông Lam Nghệ An. This is an impressive performance for any foreign player in V.League 1. His excellence also helped Nam Định top the V.League 1 rankings with 51 points after 24 matches, creating a significant turning point in the championship race against Hà Nội, who are behind with 46 points.

If one match could really showcase Brenner's talent, it would be the match against Hà Nội at Hàng Đẫy Stadium on May 4. Facing the strongest championship candidate in what was considered the league's final, Nam Định delivered their best performance of the season. Brenner shone brightly, contributing one goal and one assist to help Nam Định crush Hà Nội 3-0. The victory was a strong blow to the pride of the capital's team and reinforced Nam Định's position in the league.

Brenner is strong, fast and sharp in the penalty area, and he knows how to play for the team. His coordination with players like Tuấn Anh and Kevin Phạm Ba has made him an irreplaceable link in the attack. His presence has made Nam Định's playing style more varied, modern and unpredictable.

Born in 1994, Brenner is Brazilian and a familiar face in Serie B in Brazil. He has also played in J.League in Japan, Liga 1 Apertura in Peru and the Thai League. He joined Nam Định without many expectations on his shoulders, but after a short period, he has won the trust of fans with his impressive performances.

With Xuân Son out for the rest of the season, Brenner is proving to be the ideal solution for the team's attack. His consistent performance and ability to create breakthroughs have helped Nam Định maintain their position in the championship race, confirming the value of one of the most successful signings of the second phase of the season. VNS