Stars accompanying Ronaldo have the opportunity to face Hoàng Đức and Tiến Linh.

Mitchell Dijks was registered by Nam Định for the National Cup but hasn't played yet, despite having faced Ronaldo in Serie A.

Nam Định Club continues to attract attention by including Dutch defender Mitchell Dijks in the National Cup registration list, demonstrating ambitions to strengthen squad depth for both the V.League and cup competitions.

Mitchell Dijks is an experienced name in European football. Developed from the renowned Ajax academy, he won the Eredivisie in the 2012/13 season and made multiple appearances in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League. With a height of 1.94m and an ideal physique, the defender born in 1993 can perform well both as a left-back and center-back, bringing solidity and strong defensive capabilities to Nam Định's backline.

Notably, during his time playing in Serie A for Bologna, Mitchell Dijks had the opportunity to face top world stars, including Cristiano Ronaldo when the Portuguese superstar was at Juventus. Having directly competed against high-caliber players has allowed Dijks to accumulate valuable experience, something not many foreign players in the V.League possess.

Although registered for the National Cup, Mitchell Dijks did not appear in the match lineup for the quarter-final between Nam Định and SHB Đà Nẵng. This decision surprised many fans, as he was expected to play soon to demonstrate his abilities.

However, the absence of the former Ajax star did not affect the strength of the Nam team. The reigning V.League champions showed resilience by defeating SHB Đà Nẵng 2-1, securing a spot in the semi-finals. This result continues to affirm the squad depth and stability of Nam Định this season.

The decision not to use Mitchell Dijks might be part of the coaching staff's plan to help him reach optimal condition before his official debut. Given that Nam Định is competing on multiple fronts, the addition of a defender with high-level European experience like Dijks is expected to be a crucial piece.

If he integrates well, Mitchell Dijks could become a new "steel shield" in the defense and make a difference in Nam Định's quest for titles in the 2025/26 season.

In the next stage, Nam Định has the opportunity to face CA TP.HCM Club, which features striker Nguyễn Tiến Linh, in the semi-finals. If they overcome this challenge, Coach Vũ Hồng Việt and his team could aim for the final, where they are likely to face Ninh Bình of Hoàng Đức in an anticipated showdown.