The 20-year-old player brings joy to coach Vu Tien Thanh.

It is only in July that Van Thuan will turn 20, but the player born in 2006 has impressed Ninh Binh fans with two decisive goals that earned 6 points for his team. In the last two matches, Van Thuan played prominently to help Ninh Binh Club maintain hope of competing for the V-League championship this season.

In the new journey with Ninh Binh, the imprint ofCoach Vu Tien Thanhlies not only in tactics but also in his way of "awakening" young talents.

The mid-season signing from Thanh Hoa, Le Van Thuan, is most clearly proving the assessment of the former HAGL technical director.

In a collective with many stars like Ninh Binh, it is not always the big stars who decide the match.

Sometimes, the difference comes from a less noticed name, someone given the opportunity at the right moment. ForNinh Binhat this moment, Van Thuan is precisely such a "discovery".

Joining Ninh Binh from Thanh Hoa during the mid-season transfer window, the midfielder born in 2006 was not a name that initially generated much expectation.

But coaches from Gerard Castano to Coach Vu Tien Thanh saw special qualities in this young player such as speed, decisiveness, and particularly a determined competitive spirit.

It is not by chance that Coach Thanh frankly admitted: "I really like Le Van Thuan." That fondness is not emotional, but comes from his calculated way of utilizing the young player. Instead of hastily pushingVan Thuaninto the starting lineup, he chose the option to bring this player into the match from the second half, when the game situation opened up and pressure eased.

That "calculated" personnel usage has proven effective. In two consecutive matches against HAGL and Becamex TP.HCM, Van Thuan scored decisive goals, bringing full 6 points to Ninh Binh. These were not random scoring moments, but the mark of a player who knows how to appear at the right time and place.

At an age not yet 20, Van Thuan is displaying rare maturity. With 3 goals, Van Thuan has now entered the group of the best domestic scorers of the season, trailing only his senior Nguyen Hoang Duc by exactly 3 goals. That gap is not large, and with his current form, this young player can certainly continue improving his record in the remaining 8 rounds.

More importantly, Van Thuan is not just an individual story. The player born in 2006 is becoming a crucial piece in Ninh Binh's medal race journey. The ancient capital's team currently ranks 3rd with 34 points, trailing The Cong Viettel by 4 points and Hanoi Police by 11 points. That gap requires a breakthrough, and shining moments like Van Thuan's are precisely what Ninh Binh needs.

The emergence of this young player also partly helps relieve pressure on other stars, especially in the context of Hoang Duc's injury, not reaching optimal physical condition, and foreign players' decline.

From a strategic perspective, giving Van Thuan the opportunity also reflects Coach Thanh's clear philosophy of prioritizing young players, creating conditions for their growth. In the context of the V-League increasingly relying on foreign players, this approach holds not only professional significance but also a sustainable direction for Vietnamese football.

In reality, Van Thuan has had a "dense" season with over 30 appearances for both club and youth national team levels. The large volume of matches helps this player accumulate experience rapidly, and under the guidance of a charismatic coach like Mr. Thanh, that maturation process is further accelerated.

Of course, the road ahead is still long. Van Thuan still needs to improve many aspects, from physical strength to consistency. But the most important thing is that he already has a "launchpad" of trust from the coach and a suitable competitive environment.

In a season where Ninh Binh is choosing a pragmatic path to compete for medals, Van Thuan's breakout brings a fresh touch. It is a combination of experience and youthfulness, calculation and inspiration.