Vietnam National Champion League: Thep Xanh Nam Dinh FC 1-0 CLB Thanh Hoa A solitary goal was enough to separate two title contenders as Thep Xanh Nam Dinh FC edged past CLB Thanh Hoa 1-0 in a tense and tightly-contested encounter at Thien Truong Stadium. The narrow victory allows Nam Dinh to keep pace at the top of the table, while dealing a significant blow to Thanh Hoa's own championship aspirations in a crucial six-pointer. The match was a cagey affair with both teams prioritizing defensive solidity in the early stages. The decisive moment arrived just after the hour mark when Nam Dinh's star winger cut inside from the left flank and unleashed a low drive that took a slight deflection, wrong-footing the Thanh Hoa goalkeeper and nestling in the far corner. Thanh Hoa pushed for an equalizer in the final half-hour, creating several half-chances, but found the Nam Dinh defense and goalkeeper in resilient form, blocking and saving everything thrown at them. A key incident occurred late in the match when Thanh Hoa had strong appeals for a penalty waved away after a tussle in the box, a decision that left the visiting bench furious. Nam Dinh's defensive midfielder put in a standout performance, breaking up play and shielding the backline expertly to preserve the clean sheet. This result sees Nam Dinh solidify their position in the top three, applying pressure on the league leaders. For Thanh Hoa, the defeat means they risk falling off the pace in what is becoming a highly competitive title race. The Nam Dinh manager praised his team's discipline, saying, "It was a battle, but we showed the mentality of champions. We took our chance and defended our lead with great heart." The Thanh Hoa coach was frustrated: "We controlled large parts of the game but lacked the final touch. The penalty decision was a big moment, but we must be more clinical." Lineups: Thep Xanh Nam Dinh FC: (4-3-3) Tran Nguyen Manh; Nguyen Van Hung, Hoang Van Khanh, A. Sanou, Ha Van Phuong; Nguyen Van Toan, Rafaelson, Jhon Cley; To Van Vu, Hendrio, Tran Van Dat. CLB Thanh Hoa: (3-5-2) Nguyen Van Hoang; Nguyen Minh Tung, Bicou, A. Mance; Luong Xuan Truong, Rimario, Nguyen Trong Hoang, Hoang Van Son, Le Van Thang; Jeferson, Washington.