After 3 matches, the European-class coach sets a disappointing milestone with Hanoi FC

The defeat against Ha Tinh not only slowed Hanoi FC’s progress in the championship battle but also closed a 5-year unbeaten run for the team from the capital.

Hanoi FC had a forgettable match in the 9th round of the 2025/2026 V-League, losing 1-2 away at Ha Tinh. This defeat not only caused the capital team to lose momentum in the title chase but also marked a sad milestone, as it was their first loss to Ha Tinh since the Central team joined the V-League.

Both teams started quickly under light rain causing a slippery pitch. Ha Tinh capitalized better when, in the 41st minute, Viet-Kieu player Viktor Le curled a precise shot to open the scoring for the home side, sending the Ha Tinh stadium into a frenzy.

In the second half, coach Harry Kewell brought Văn Quyết on to boost the attack. The Hanoi FC captain immediately made an impact by heading in an equalizer at 1-1 from a perfect cross by Hoang Hen. However, shortly after, Viktor Le kept up the pressure, with a shot hitting the post and then deflecting off defender Cong Nhat’s leg into the net as an own goal, sealing a 2-1 victory for Ha Tinh.

In the final minutes, Hanoi FC pushed forward but faced a tight defense and strong fighting spirit from the hosts. Goalkeeper Thanh Tung made an outstanding save on the goal line in the 87th minute, extinguishing all hopes of points for coach Kewell’s team.

This loss puts Hanoi FC at risk of dropping significantly in the standings, trailing the leaders Ninh Binh by 9 points despite having played one more match. It is also their first defeat to Ha Tinh after 11 encounters in the V-League (4 wins, 7 draws). The 1-2 result ended Hanoi FC’s 5-year unbeaten streak against the Central region opponent.

Including the National Cup, Hanoi FC had maintained a 13-match unbeaten record against Ha Tinh since 2019, with two victories in the 2019 and 2024 National Cups. Therefore, this loss not only cost them valuable points in the title race but also revealed several issues needing improvement. Meanwhile, the historic win boosts Ha Tinh to temporarily rise into the mid-table group and provides a significant morale lift for the rest of the season.