Ha Noi traveled to Thanh Hoa with confidence, having won four consecutive matches to return to the top 3 of the V-League. However, coach Harry Kewell's squad faced many difficulties against a determined home team that played fiercely, with high morale, and employed clever tactics.

The visitors pressed forward but only created a clear chance in the 30th minute. Following an errant pass from Doan Ngoc Ha, Dau Van Toan seized the opportunity to cross into the Thanh Hoa penalty area. Nguyen Van Quyet then chipped the ball over goalkeeper Y Eli Nie, but Trinh Van Loi managed to run back and clear the ball off the line.

Thanh Hoa midfielder Nguyen Ngoc My celebrates a goal in the 38th minute during the 1-0 victory over Ha Noi FC in round 22 of V-League 2025-2026, at Thanh Hoa stadium on 9/5. Photo: Thanh Hoa FC

Thanh Hoa, despite attacking less, created high impact with a fast counter-attack in the 38th minute. Nguyen Van Tung dribbled skillfully down the left wing before attempting a cross for Nguyen Ngoc My, who made a cutting run for a close-range header, opening the scoring. This marked the forward born in 2004's third consecutive match with a goal, and his 4th goal in 18 V-League appearances this season. Notably, Ngoc My had signed a contract with Ninh Binh Club, along with Le Van Thuan and Nguyen Thai Son, but requested to stay at Thanh Hoa until the end of this season to help his hometown team overcome difficulties.

Leading, but Thanh Hoa's aggressive play also came at a cost. In the 44th minute, during a pressing effort, Nguyen Ba Tien kicked Pham Xuan Manh's knee, leaving him on the field in pain. After consulting VAR and reviewing the video, referee Nguyen Viet Duan rescinded the yellow card and issued a direct red card to the defender born in 2001.

In the second half, Thanh Hoa steeled themselves to defend with 10 players consistently deep in their own territory. Meanwhile, their opponents attacked relentlessly but found it hard to find openings against the crowded defense. They also faced the brilliance of goalkeeper Y Eli Nie, who denied Hoang Hen's free-kick in the 56th minute and Fisher's header in the 60th minute. Two minutes later, many Thanh Hoa fans held their heads in disappointment after Van Tung's shot hit goalkeeper Quan Van Chuan and rebounded off the post.

Coach Harry Kewell successively brought Daniel Passira and Pham Tuan Hai onto the field to increase pressure, but Ha Noi remained deadlocked. The wing-crossing strategy was ineffective, while 16 corner kicks only once gave the hosts a scare in the 86th minute. Hoang Hen lofted the ball to the far post for Adriel Tadeu to head it into the goal. However, the referee determined Nguyen Thanh Chung had fouled goalkeeper Y Eli Nie.

Ha Noi FC central defender Nguyen Thanh Chung shoots inside the penalty area in the 10th minute of second-half stoppage time but is saved by goalkeeper Y Eli Nie. Photo: Giang Nguyen

After the 75th minute, Thanh Hoa increasingly employed time-wasting dives, fragmenting the match. The second half had 7 minutes of added time, but the match actually concluded after 12 minutes of stoppage play. During this period, the most dangerous chance fell to Ha Noi when Van Quyet chipped the ball behind the Thanh Hoa defense for Thanh Chung to shoot. However, goalkeeper Y Eli Nie, despite being off balance, still managed to spring up and push the ball away for a save.

When the final whistle blew, Thanh Hoa team members rushed onto the field, embracing each other in excited celebration, while fans cheered and sang "As if Uncle Ho were present on the day of great victory".

This loss cost Ha Noi FC their third-place position to Ninh Binh, who beat Hai Phong 2-1 in a concurrent match. Ha Noi has 39 points, 2 points behind Ninh Binh and 4 points behind The Cong. The team is also out of the championship race, being 15 points behind Cong an Ha Noi with only four matches remaining.

Meanwhile, Thanh Hoa has almost certainly secured their survival. The team climbed to 8th place with 24 points, 10 points ahead of last-place PVF-CAND, having played one more match.

Starting lineups:

Thanh Hoa: Y Eli Nie, Ba Tien, Truong Thanh Nam, Trinh Van Loi, Dinh Huyen, Doan Ngoc Ha, Abdurakhmanov, Van Tung, Damoth Thongkhamsavath, Ngoc My, Doan Ngoc Tan

Ha Noi FC: Quan Van Chuan, Pham Xuan Manh, Thanh Chung, Adriel Tadeu, Cong Nhat, Do Hung Dung, Dau Van Toan, Hai Long, Do Hoang Hen, Van Quyet, David Fisher.

Hieu Luong