Before round 14, Cong an Ha Noi (CAHN) boasted an unbeaten streak of 16 matches in the V-League, including 12 this season. Coach Mano Polking's team confidently entered Hang Day Stadium with the task of overcoming Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL), who were in good form after defeating Da Nang 1-0 and Ninh Binh 2-1.

The visitors stunned the hosts in the 6th minute. From the left wing, Nguyen Thanh Nhan threaded a pass to Batista Elisio, who dribbled past Doan Van Hau before shooting into the left corner, beating Nguyen Filip. However, CAHN regained composure as the HAGL foreign player was ruled offside.

HAGL midfielder Marciel Silva (right) opened the scoring in the 40th minute during the 1-3 loss to Cong an Ha Noi in V-League 2025-2026 round 14, at Hang Day Stadium in Ha Noi on 28/2. *Hoang Huynh*

HAGL remained committed to a tight defensive style. Their disciplined defense neutralized most attacks before launching a quality counter-attack in the 40th minute. Outside the penalty area, Marciel Silva played a one-two with Elisio before a delicate finish inside the box beat Filip.

CAHN maintained full control of the game but struggled to find a way to the opponent's goal. In the second half, coach Mano Polking replaced center-back Hugo Gomes with forward Rogerio Alves to increase offensive power. However, a turning point came in the 55th minute when Alan Grafite sustained an injury. Coach Polking opted not to bring on another striker but instead introduced winger Pham Minh Phuc, which ultimately disrupted HAGL's solid defense.

In the 66th minute, Leo Artur delivered a cross into the box for Alves to shoot from close range, but Trung Kien made an excellent save. three minutes later, Quang Hai played a through ball to Alves, who beat the HAGL goalkeeper, but was offside. In the 76th minute, Bui Hoang Viet Anh's close-range shot was blocked by a diving Dinh Quang Kiet. However, a lapse in concentration immediately after cost the visitors. As Quang Kiet was high-fiving Jairo Filho, CAHN took a quick throw-in from the left wing, allowing Pham Minh Phuc to score from inside the penalty area into the right corner, leveling the score at 1-1.

Cong an Ha Noi forward Rogerio Alves scored a brace in the 3-1 victory over HAGL in V-League 2025-2026 round 14, at Hang Day Stadium in Ha Noi on 28/2. *Hoang Huynh*

HAGL also had themselves to blame for wasting counter-attacking opportunities. Before and after conceding the equalizer, they had two chances, but Vo Dinh Lam was offside, and then slow, allowing Nguyen Filip to rush out of the penalty area to clear the ball.

After overcoming difficult moments, CAHN found success from a corner kick in the 82nd minute. Quang Hai delivered a low pass to Doan Van Hau at the near post, who let the ball run. Rogerio Alves rushed in to shoot, which Trung Kien parried, but Alves quickly followed up to score into the HAGL net. Subsequently, Nguyen Dinh Bac was unlucky with a shot that hit the post in the 85th minute. In the 4th minute of injury time, Leo Artur threaded a pass to Alves, who finished inside the box to complete his brace.

The 3-1 victory ensures CAHN remains the only unbeaten team in the V-League this season. They lead with 35 points, 8 points ahead of second-placed Ninh Binh, having played one fewer match. Meanwhile, HAGL sits 9th with 14 points, just four points above bottom-placed Da Nang, having played one more match.

Starting Lineups:

Cong an Ha Noi: Nguyen Filip, Doan Van Hau, Cao Pendant Quang Vinh, Tran Dinh Trong, Bui Hoang Viet Anh, Le Van Do, Quang Hai, Le Pham Thanh Long, Leo Artur, Alan Grafite, Dinh Bac

HAGL: Tran Trung Kien, Dinh Quang Kiet, Jairo Filho, Vo Phuoc Bao, Phan Du Hoc, Hoang Vinh Nguyen, Luong Thanh Ngoc Lam, Thanh Nhan, Tran Thanh Son, Marciel Silva, Batista Elisio.

Hieu Luong