Hanoi FC Contends for Top 3 in V-League 2025/26

Hanoi FC is showing robust form with 5 wins from their recent 7 games. Hoang Hen and his colleagues displayed a remarkable performance, comfortably overcoming SLNA, which had secured 4 victories in the last 5 rounds.

With the additional 3 points from round 16, Coach Harry Kewell's team now holds 27 points, trailing the third-placed team, Ninh Binh, by just 1 point. This marks a timely resurgence for the capital's representative in the race for medals this season. Hanoi FC is also 7 points behind second-placed The Cong Viettel and 11 points behind Cong An Hanoi.

The two capital rivals of Hanoi FC continue to maintain good form. The Cong Viettel faces significant pressure as they chase the top spot and had a challenging task hosting Hai Phong in the latest match of round 16. However, the home team still celebrated victory, boasting a "striker" Lucao with exceptionally high scoring efficiency.

In the second half, the player currently ranked second in the season's scoring list executed a precise aerial effort following Tuan Tai's cross to score the only goal of the match. Lucao once again scored against his former club and celebrated passionately. That's how the Brazilian striker responds to everything. The Cong Viettel has won 5 of their last 6 matches and persistently pursues Cong An Hanoi. With 34 points after round 16, Coach Velizar Popov's squad is 4 points behind Cong An Hanoi.

The league leaders, after their defeat to Hanoi FC in round 15, rebounded strongly on Ninh Binh's field. Cong An Hanoi received an early "gift" from their opponent when Alan capitalized on a amateurish mistake by defender Marcelino, who mishandled the ball, to score the opening goal. Ninh Binh declined both physically and mentally, and consequently conceded another goal in the second half from Thanh Long's shot. Gia Hung's late consolation goal only added to Ninh Binh's regret.

Ninh Binh has lost 4 of their last 5 rounds, and the team under new coach Vu Tien Thanh remains in a difficult situation. Ninh Binh risked ending empty-handed due to their poor recent performance. Meanwhile, Cong An Hanoi continues to demonstrate the capability of a top contender for the championship this season. However, the pressure from the pursuing rival The Cong Viettel is substantial.

Round 16 witnessed notable efforts from capital clubs and also from Cong An TP.HCM with the "phenomenon" Khoa Ngo. The Vietnamese overseas player continued to "dominate the spotlight" by scoring the only goal against PVF-CAND at Thong Nhat Stadium.

Khoa Ngo has scored 3 goals in 5 matches, and the 2006-born player has matched the achievement of his senior Tien Linh. Notably, Khoa Ngo scored against PVF-CAND in both the first and second legs. Coach Le Huynh Duc's team maintained its 5th position after round 16 with 26 points, trailing the club above them, Hanoi FC, by exactly 1 point.

Regarding PVF-CAND, the club under new coach Tran Tien Dai remains at the bottom of the table with 11 points. PVF-CAND is 1 point behind the penultimate club, SHB Da Nang, but has played one more match. In this round, SHB Da Nang secured a valuable point at Chi Lang Stadium with a 3-3 draw against HAGL.

Thanh Hoa still ranks 12th with 13 points after a narrow defeat to Nam Dinh. Xuan Son was unlucky, but Nam Dinh saw Akolo shine with the only goal of the match. Coach Vu Hong Viet's team climbed to 7th place with 21 points and still has a chance to compete for medals.

Meanwhile, Becamex TP.HCM secured an important 2-0 victory at home in Binh Duong against Hong Linh Ha Tinh. Coach Kim Sang Sik witnessed Tung Quoc's long-range masterpiece in this match, after admiring Van Son's brilliant goal against HAGL the previous day.

Becamex TP.HCM now has 18 points after round 16 and ranks 10th, leading the 11th-placed team HAGL by 3 points. The squad under General Director Dang Tran Chinh cannot yet feel secure with that fragile gap compared to the teams below them.