Hanoi beat Becamex TP.HCM 3-2, Kewell criticized the pitch

Hanoi FC won 3-2 against Becamex TP.HCM in the 8th round of V.League 2025/26 at Binh Duong Stadium, but the biggest story was the pitch that was flooded after heavy rain. The match was postponed for 30 minutes and coach Harry Kewell admitted that “it is impossible to pass the ball on this pitch”, forcing the Capital team to switch to a more direct approach. A second-half penalty goal and timely moments helped Hanoi close out a challenging comeback.

Development: heavy rain, 30-minute delay and a 3-2 score chase

Heavy rain turned the Binh Duong field into large puddles, causing the ball to stop frequently in mid-play. After a 30-minute delay due to heavy rain, the match resumed under unpredictable conditions. Becamex TP.HCM opened the score with a beautiful flick by Viet Cuong, but Hanoi FC equalized just before halftime in the 45+3' minute.

In the second half, the away team maintained a better attacking rhythm in the context of the heavy pitch. They created many opportunities and took the lead thanks to a penalty. The remaining minutes witnessed a tense match, but Hanoi FC maintained their advantage and ended the match with a 3-2 victory.

Tactical analysis: Kewell chooses direct ball over possession

Speaking at halftime, coach Harry Kewell made it clear to his players: “You think about how this match will play out? We have no choice but to fight. You can’t pass the ball on this pitch. So you have to drop the ball behind them. I’ve never seen this before, so I don’t have a satisfactory answer.”

The directives reflected an immediate adjustment in approach: minimizing short combinations in the midfield area, avoiding the risk of the ball being stopped by water; instead, prioritizing early passes behind the opponent's defense, looking for opportunities from second-time situations and second-ball disputes. In adverse weather conditions, simplifying the playing style helps Hanoi FC limit errors and quickly move the ball to areas where it can create breakthroughs.

On the psychological level, the message of “only fighting” focuses on intensity, speed of approach to the ball and reaction after losing the ball. This approach is suitable when the pitch surface eliminates the advantage of ball possession, forcing both teams to adapt with more direct solutions. Hanoi FC exploited the transition moments well and took advantage of the opportunity from the penalty spot to turn the game around.

The key moment: the penalty and risk management

The penalty in the second half was the turning point, giving Hanoi FC the upper hand in a match where every move could change the outcome. With space control becoming less predictable due to the pitch, increasing the success rate of set pieces and counter-attacks became key—something Hanoi FC did better in the second half.

Important statistics and details

Reaction and impact

Kewell stressed the pitch condition as a major challenge: “It’s impossible to pass the ball on this pitch.” Despite the harsh conditions, the 3-2 victory was a morale booster for Hanoi FC, especially as the Australian coach has been in the job for just over three weeks and is dealing with lingering issues.

For both teams, the match revealed areas that need improvement: pitch quality, squad strength and ability to control the game in harsh conditions. For Hanoi FC, three points open up an opportunity to break away if they maintain their momentum. They will visit Ha Tinh in round 9, before hosting PVF-CAND at home in round 10. If they win all six points, Hanoi can put significant pressure on the leading group.

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