Hanoi FC is the Vietnamese version of Man City?

Entering this year’s season, the squad under coach Chu Dinh Nghiem did not have too many changes. The foreign players are still two familiar faces, Oseni and Moses. In addition, the domestic players are of high quality with Thanh Luong, Van Quyet, Quang Hai, Duy Manh, Duc Huy, Van Hau, Hung Dung… and were also supplemented by Dinh Trong and Van Dai from Saigon FC.

Hanoi FC is showing tremendous strength in V.League 2018. Photo: Internet

It seemed that the main striker in recent years, Hoang Vu Samson, would leave Hang Day Stadium to play for Burima United (Thailand), but everything suddenly fell apart when the Nigerian player was "returned" by the reigning Thai League champion to Hanoi FC for professional reasons. However, Hoang Vu Samson still had to sit out until the end of the first phase of V.League 2018 (past the registration deadline).

The absence of striker Hoang Vu Samson and left-back Sam Ngoc Duc (playing for Ho Chi Minh City Club) did not affect the strength of the capital team much. Before the 10th round, Hanoi FC's attack was leading with 25 goals (the team with the second highest number of goals, FLC Thanh Hoa, only had 14 goals). With 11 goals, striker Oseni was dominating the number 1 position in the race for the Golden Boot title.

Strong attack and solid defense. Up to this point, Hanoi FC's defense has the record of conceding the fewest goals in the league. 6 goals/9 matches is clear evidence of the excellence of Duy Manh and his teammates. In the history of V.League, there are few teams as balanced (all lines) and comprehensive (attack - defense) as coach Chu Dinh Nghiem's ​​team.

Hoang Vu Samson will return in phase 2 of V.League 2018 in Hanoi FC shirt. Photo: Internet

It is no surprise that Hanoi FC is “alone, on one horse” in the race to the championship. The gap of 6 points - more than the team right behind (Than Quang Ninh) is enough to affirm the superiority of the capital football representative compared to the rest. Witnessing the form and strength of Hanoi FC, experts and fans do not believe in the surprise in the competition for the championship.

The most difficult period of the capital team has passed. Van Quyet, Thanh Luong and coach Chu Dinh Nghiem have completed the punishment from VFF, Quang Hai has regained his form, Dinh Trong and Van Dai have integrated into the new environment.

Especially in phase 2, Hanoi FC will have the service of "the player who scored the most goals in V.League" - Hoang Vu Samson. The Hang Day Stadium team is like "a tiger with wings".

Looking at the destruction of opponents, the rapid progress of Thanh Luong and his teammates, fans suddenly thought of Man City in the Premier League 2017/2018. After the match Man Utd 1 - 2 Man City in round 16 (December 10, 2017), almost everyone had to admit that coach Pep Guardiola and his team winning the championship was just a matter of time. Indeed, Man City won the championship 5 rounds early.

Difficult obstacles such as FLC Thanh Hoa, HAGL, SHB Da Nang… did not make it difficult for coach Chu Dinh Nghiem and his team. Perhaps, Than Quang Ninh, FLC Thanh Hoa… will have to compete for the runner-up position. Simply, Hanoi FC is demonstrating what Man City did in the Premier League last season./.