V-League 2025/26 Round 7: All Roads Lead to Hàng Đẫy

17/10/2025 09:06:00 SportScoop

The focal point of the 7th round of the LPBank V-League 2025/2026 is definitely the match between Hanoi FC and Ninh Bình FC at Hàng Đẫy Stadium. This game not only determines the rankings but also serves as the introduction of legendary Harry Kewell as the head coach of the home team.

Before traveling to the capital, Ninh Bình was on a 6-match unbeaten run, leading the standings with 14 points. Meanwhile, Hanoi FC had only 8 points, marking one of their poorest starts in the last 15 years.

Looking back to the 2009 V-League season, as a newcomer, Hanoi T&T was even at the bottom after the first half of the season. Club owner Đỗ Quang Hiển had to rush to Nghệ An to convince coach Nguyễn Hữu Thắng to replace Triệu Quang Hà, who had helped the young club climb three divisions in three years. By the end of the season, Hanoi T&T finished 4th, an extraordinary feat.

Hanoi FC’s era of domestic dominance concluded after winning the 2022 championship, their 6th V-League trophy. However, since coach Chu Đình Nghiêm left in 2021, the team’s ability to win titles has declined. They have replaced 12 coaches, both local and foreign, permanent and interim, in less than five years—an unprecedented situation.

While coaches like Bozidar Bandovic and the Korean coaches were somewhat unfamiliar with Vietnamese football in general and Hanoi FC’s nature in particular, coach Iwamasa Daiki and his Japanese colleagues were truly outclassed.

Coach Kewell is expected to help Hanoi FC quickly return to the championship race. Photo: Hanoi FC

According to former four-time Vietnamese Ballon d’Or winner Phạm Thành Lương, coach Iwamasa Daiki was on a very different level. Within just one week, the coach from the Land of the Rising Sun had organized the team. Iwamasa Daiki genuinely wanted to upgrade Hanoi FC but ultimately had to say goodbye because he couldn’t adapt to the Vietnamese professional football style, especially that of Hanoi FC.

For an ambitious club, stability is a crucial factor, from the coaching staff to the players. No club that goes against this principle can succeed. Just look at Hanoi FC, Becamex Bình Dương, HAGL... These are former champions and among the most successful clubs in V-League history, holding 12 of the last 22 titles.

Whether Harry Kewell can stop the domino effect of "changing coaches like changing shirts at Hàng Đẫy" remains to be seen. However, one thing is sure: the media impact the Australian legend brings to Hanoi FC and Hàng Đẫy Stadium is very positive. After all, Kewell was once a Premier League legend, a beloved idol and one of the most popular players among EPL fans in Vietnam.

If Harry Kewell is an idol for football fans born in the 80s and 90s, on the other side, Gerard Albadalejo is quite unknown. The young Spanish coach did spend some time working with Barca’s youth teams, but his playing and coaching career lacks highlights. Yet, precisely because of his anonymity, Gerard Albadalejo might find it easier to succeed, facing less attention and pressure. This was noted by Thể thao & Văn hóa in a previous issue.

To start his debut in front of Hàng Đẫy’s audience and fans nationwide, coach Kewell led Hanoi FC to a 6-1 victory over CAHN in a friendly match one week ago. The beginning is good; hopefully, the rest will follow with coach Kewell!

This weekend at Hàng Đẫy Stadium, will Hanoi FC break Ninh Bình’s winning streak or will it be a passing of the baton and crown to the new champion?!

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