Hai Phong wins dramatically against Hanoi FC, coach Popov causes controversy with his statement about the referee.

Round 17 of the V-League 2025/26 concluded with dramatic developments, from Hai Phong FC's break of form to heated controversies surrounding refereeing. The championship race is also gradually coming to a close as Hanoi Police FC created a safe distance from the chasing pack, while teams at the bottom of the table strive to break away from the relegation zone.

Hai Phong defeats Hanoi FC, receives a bonus of 1 billion VND.

The highlight of the round was the emotional clash at Lach Tray Stadium in Hai Phong City between Hai Phong FC and Hanoi FC. After a series of five consecutive matches with only draws and losses, the Hai Phong team made an impressive comeback with a narrow 1-0 victory over their arch-rivals.

The only goal was scored by Huu Nam in the 79th minute after a sharp counter-attack. Immediately after the final whistle, Club President Van Tran Hoan personally went onto the field to reward the entire team with 1 billion VND in cash. This reward is not only valuable financially but also a crucial morale boost, helping Hai Phong regain confidence after a prolonged period of poor form since the beginning of 2026.

Nguyen Xuan Son and the emotional match in Nam Dinh Province.

Naturalized striker Nguyen Xuan Son experienced a game full of ups and downs as Nam Dinh Steel defeated Ha Tinh 2-0. The Brazilian-born star opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 35th minute and provided an assist for Chadrac Akolo to double the lead.

However, the most notable moment was the incredible miss in the 85th minute when he blasted the ball wide of an empty net from just meters away. Despite having a goal disallowed by VAR and a shot hitting the post, Xuan Son's contribution still helped Nam Dinh maintain their 7th position in the standings with 24 points.

Coach Velizar Popov criticized the referee, calling him a 'professional killer'.

Following the 1-1 draw between The Cong Viettel and Song Lam Nghe An in Nghe An Province, coach Velizar Popov caused a public uproar with his statements targeting referee Le Vu Linh. The Bulgarian strategist was outraged that Lucao's goal in the 70th minute was disallowed despite the intervention of VAR technology.

Popov angrily shared: "VAR intervention means the main referee needs to review the decision. But this is the first time I've seen the main referee disagree with VAR. He's a professional killer." This draw leaves The Cong Viettel 9 points behind the league leaders, a challenging gap in the championship race.

Thanh Hoa creates a shockwave against Ho Chi Minh City Police.

Another shocking result was Thanh Hoa FC's crushing 4-0 victory over the ambitious Ho Chi Minh City Police team. Despite facing squad difficulties, the Thanh Hoa team played explosively to relieve the pressure of relegation. After the defeat, coach Le Huynh Duc frankly accepted responsibility for his players' finishing ability, while coach Mai Xuan Hop treated every remaining match as a final to help Thanh Hoa climb to 11th place.

In Gia Lai Province, Ninh Binh FC also staged an impressive comeback, winning 2-1 against HAGL. Young star Le Van Thuan, dubbed the "Lamine Yamal of Thanh Hoa," continued to shine with a spectacular goal. Van Thuan's brilliant performance not only secured three points but also helped Ninh Binh end their poor run of form and close in on the top of the table.

Hanoi Police are close to winning the V-League 2025/26 title.

The championship race is drawing to a close as Hanoi Police asserted their absolute dominance with a convincing victory over Da Nang in Da Nang City. Taking advantage of The Cong Viettel's draw, coach Mano Polking's team extended their lead over the second-placed team to 9 points.

With a stable squad and depth of players, Hanoi Police are in a huge advantage as the season enters its final stages. If they maintain their current form, the V-League 2025/26 championship is unlikely to slip from the grasp of the police team.