Hanoi FC terminates contract with Willian Maranhao after 10 matches.
Hanoi FC terminated Willian Maranhao's contract prematurely after the early stages of the 2025/2026 V-League season. He played in 10 matches, totaling 694 minutes; the team finished 7th with 15 points.
Hanoi FC has announced the premature termination of defensive midfielder Willian Maranhao's contract immediately after the first phase of the 2025/2026 V-League season concludes. The player, whose contract was once valued at €900,000 on the transfer market, leaves the team after just 10 matches, totaling 694 minutes of playing time.
The gap at the anchor point
Upon arriving at Hang Day Stadium at the start of the season, the Brazilian midfielder was expected to strengthen the midfield. However, his actual performance has not met expectations: he appeared out of sync with the team's overall play and lacked effectiveness in intercepting passes. This is a strategic "anchor" position, requiring situational awareness, shielding the midfield, and a balance between defense and transition.
In this context, Hanoi decided to release players to free up foreign player slots for a more suitable option in terms of expertise. The immediate goal is to find a quality defensive midfielder to share the burden with Dau Van Toan, who has been carrying the midfield through the intense early stages of the season.
Tactical perspective: Why does the "anchor" determine the tempo?
In the V-League, teams often use defensive midfielders to control the central half and break down counter-attacks right from the first pressing. When this anchor point is unstable, the team's formation is easily stretched, leaving the back line frequently facing one-on-one situations. Hanoi's priority in recruiting a new defensive midfielder shows their focus on re-establishing positional discipline, counter-attack prevention, and improving ball recovery from midfield.
The numbers are noteworthy.
| Category | Data |
|---|---|
| Number of matches in V-League 2025/2026 | 10 |
| Total playing time | 694 minutes |
| Transfer valuation | 900,000 euros |
| Current position on the leaderboard | Saturday (15 points) |
Short-term impact and force planning
The decision to part ways early allows Hanoi to proactively revamp their midfield during the upcoming two-month break. This is crucial time to restructure the defensive midfield role, stabilize the central axis, and improve the quality of their transitional defense. Recruiting an additional defensive midfielder with a more intercepting tendency will ease the burden on Dau Van Toan, while also creating a more solid foundation for the attacking players to confidently unleash their potential.
The current ranking (7th, 15 points) reflects the immediate need for upgrades in the midfield. Tightening the defensive structure in the central area could be key to improving points total as the season enters its crucial stage.
Match schedule
- V-League 2025/2026, Round 12: Hanoi vs Song Lam Nghe An, 6:00 PM, January 31, 2026.
With decisive decisions in the personnel market, Hanoi is betting on tactical balance from the midfield to get back on track and compete for the remainder of the season.
