Harry Kewell opens account: Hanoi win 3-2 at Go Dau

Amid heavy rain in Go Dau, Hanoi FC beat Becamex TP.HCM 3-2 in a match with 3 penalties, marking the first victory of coach Harry Kewell and the capital team. Do Hoang Hen scored his first goal since becoming a naturalized player of Hanoi, while Ninh Binh came back 3-1 at PVF-CAND Stadium to consolidate their top position with 20 points after 8 rounds and maintain their unbeaten streak. On the sidelines, Nam Dinh is urgently looking for a foreign coach, while Doan Van Hau's future at CAHN is still a question mark as his contract expires in just a few months.

Harry Kewell and Hanoi FC's first 3-2 victory

Despite the unfavorable weather conditions, Hanoi still left Go Dau with all 3 points against Becamex TP.HCM. The match had 3 penalties – a clear sign of the high intensity of the competition in the penalty area on the slippery pitch. The professional highlight came from Do Hoang Hen: he scored his first goal as a naturalized player of the Capital team.

Developments and highlights

The heavy rain disrupted the rhythm of the game, with second balls and set pieces becoming the launching pad for turning points. Three penalties defined the rhythm of the 90 minutes – each time the ball was placed on the 11m mark, the balance of opportunity changed. In that context, Hanoi’s concentration at high pressure moments and their ability to handle the ball simply and safely made the difference.

Tactical angle in the rain

On wet pitches, the tactical priorities tend to be risk management: shortening the formation, limiting cross-field passes to dangerous areas and increasing the density of people in the penalty area at both ends. The fact that the match saw three penalties shows that the 16m50 area is a tactical hot spot, where penetration and one-on-one battles decide the outcome. In such a setting, individual quality at the crucial moment – ​​from positioning to mentality on the 11m mark – helped Hanoi break away.

Hoang Hen and the national team's aspirations

After scoring his first goal for Hanoi FC in the 3-2 away win, Hoang Hen expressed his happiness and desire to wear the Vietnam national team jersey in the near future. It was a personal milestone and also a positive sign for Hanoi's personnel depth under coach Harry Kewell.

Ninh Binh made a 3-1 comeback at PVF-CAND Stadium, maintaining the top spot in the table.

Ninh Binh completed a 3-1 comeback at PVF-CAND thanks to classy moments from Bao Toan and Hoang Duc. After 8 rounds, they reached 20 points and maintained an unbeaten streak since the beginning of the season - a steady pace for the championship race.

The center axis dominates the game

Coach Gerard Albadalejo emphasized the role of Tran Thanh Trung alongside Hoang Duc in the midfield: “This is an important match, I need Thanh Trung to play alongside Hoang Duc to control the midfield. And he did very well.” This decision strengthens the ability to control the central space, creating a foundation for acceleration in the final third of the field – the premise for the comeback.

Nam Dinh looking for foreign coach for the next stage

According to many sources, Mr. Nguyen Trung Kien – who has an AFC Coach A license – is only a temporary solution and is not qualified to lead the team in continental competitions, especially AFC Champions League Two. Nam Dinh's leadership is therefore rushing to appoint a new captain, most likely from Brazil; the identity is expected to be announced soon.

Doan Van Hau and the contract question at CAHN

Van Hau signed a 3-year contract with CAHN at the end of 2022, expected to expire in early 2026 – meaning there are only a few months left. To date, there has been no sign of the two sides reaching an agreement to extend, raising speculation about the possibility of parting ways when the contract expires.

Tunku Ismail denies suspicions that VFF is involved in the FAM case

Regarding FIFA's sanctioning of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) for fraudulent naturalization, Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim affirmed that the complaint did not originate from the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF). He said: "I was clearly informed by the AFC that the complaint did not originate from the VFF, not from their president or general secretary. In fact, FIFA does not easily accept a complaint from any individual."

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