Hanoi FC advances, Nam Dinh declines in round 11 of V-League
Hanoi FC under Harry Kewell won 2/4 recent rounds, got 14 points and moved up to 7th place; Do Hoang Hen scored 3 goals/4 matches. Nam Dinh only had 9 points after 10 rounds and are on a 6 match winless streak.
Round 11 of the V-League at Hang Day Stadium depicts two contrasting trajectories: Hanoi FC is making a strong comeback under Harry Kewell, while Nam Dinh – the reigning champion – is stuck in a series of declines with the risk of being dragged into a relegation battle.
Hanoi FC thrives under Harry Kewell
The most obvious mark of Hanoi FC is the results. In the last four rounds, the capital team has had two victories, notably the 4-0 destruction of PVF-CAND. The momentum has brought them to 14 points and seventh place, regaining some of the confidence of the six-time champion team.
The focal point of the change is Do Hoang Hen. The naturalized player born in 1994 has scored three goals in just four games under Harry Kewell, becoming the most effective “domestic” striker in the V-League at the moment according to the team’s performance. His sharpness in the penalty area is helping Hanoi FC have a clear support in the attack.
Although the 10-point gap with the top team Ninh Binh is large, the opportunity is still open if Hanoi FC maintains their current form. At Hang Day, they have the opportunity to dictate the pace of the match, taking advantage of the excitement and scoring efficiency that has reappeared.
Nam Dinh is out of rhythm and has a streak of 6 games without a win.
On the other hand, Nam Dinh is in crisis. The home team at Thien Truong Stadium has only 9 points after 10 rounds, going through a series of six winless matches. The adjustments on the coaching bench have not brought about the expected changes: they lost to Becamex TP.HCM and struggled to hold the two bottom teams, Da Nang and Hoang Anh Gia Lai, to a draw.
Having to stretch their strength in many arenas, despite having added foreign players, makes Nam Dinh lack stability. Replacing coach Vu Hong Viet shows an effort to find a solution, but the problem now requires more systematic adjustments to bring the team back on track.
Quick comparison before kick-off
| Index | Hanoi FC | Nam Dinh |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 14 | 9 |
| Current location | 7 | — |
| Recent form | 2 wins/4 rounds | 6 games without a win |
| Outstanding goalscoring | Do Hoang Hen: 3 goals/4 matches | — |
| Distance to the top of the table | 10 points compared to Ninh Binh | — |
Fulcrum and pressure
Hanoi FC has the advantage of form and efficiency in finishing. Do Hoang Hen is a positive variable that helps them solve key moments - which is shown by the number of goals scored recently. The return of confidence is also a noticeable difference.
Nam Dinh are under more pressure: only two points above the bottom group, with a heavy schedule ahead against opponents such as Hanoi FC, Thanh Hoa, Viettel. From the position of number one candidate, they are forced to react immediately if they do not want to be drawn deeper into the relegation race.
Round 11 Context: Ambitious Positioning Window
At Hang Day Stadium, the next 90 minutes are a test of ambition. For Hanoi FC, this is an opportunity to extend the revival and shorten the gap with the leading group. For Nam Dinh, each point at this time has the value of stabilizing the spirit and stopping the slide.
From what has been shown, the match promises to be more about the situation than the technical display: one team is finding its identity, the other needs to find a solution. The difference in recent performance could be the deciding factor.