* Goal: Quang Vinh 89’
Hanoi FC suffered a 2-1 comeback defeat against BG Pathum United in their opening match. Their Filipino opponents, Dynamic Herb Cebu, also lost 3-1 to Singapore's Tampines Rovers.
At Hang Day Stadium on the evening of 24/9, Hanoi FC was without three key players due to injuries: midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai, central defender Bui Hoang Viet Anh, and Adou Leygley Minh. This provided a starting opportunity for U23 Vietnam central defender Pham Ly Duc, who joined senior players Tran Dinh Trong, Nguyen Filip, Cao Quang Vinh, and Le Van Do. Coach Mano Polking also utilized all six foreign players, with Brandon Ly, a British-Vietnamese player, on the bench.
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Hanoi FC (red) defeated Dynamic Herb Cebu (white) 1-0 in their second Group A match of the 2025-2026 ASEAN Club Championship at Hang Day Stadium, Hanoi on 24/9/2025. Photo: Minh Minh
The home team dominated possession with 84%, taking 29 shots with seven on target. Hanoi FC completed 605 passes with an 88% accuracy rate, while Cebu managed only 115 passes with a 47% accuracy rate. Despite this, coach Polking's side struggled to break down Cebu's goalkeeper, Rami Jeridi.
Hanoi FC remained scoreless for over 40 minutes until defender Kamil Amirul made an error in the 42nd minute, losing possession to Rogerio Alves. Alves sprinted into the penalty area but his left-footed shot missed the left post. Two minutes later, the referee awarded Hanoi FC a penalty, but after VAR intervention and reviewing the video, referee Ryo Tanimoto overturned the decision, judging the ball to have hit Anderson Pinto's body.
In the second half, Coach Polking brought on midfielder Le Pham Thanh Long and forward Nguyen Dinh Bac, replacing Pham Ly Duc and Stefan Mauk. This refreshed attack created more opportunities for the home team.
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Hanoi FC (red) defeated Dynamic Herb Cebu (white) 1-0 in their second Group A match of the 2025-2026 ASEAN Club Championship at Hang Day Stadium, Hanoi on 24/9/2025. Photo: Minh Minh |
Hanoi FC (red) defeated Dynamic Herb Cebu (white) 1-0 in their second Group A match of the 2025-2026 ASEAN Club Championship at Hang Day Stadium, Hanoi on 24/9/2025. Photo: Minh Minh
In the 60th minute, from a right corner, Alan Sebastiao's close-range chest shot was saved by Jeridi. Vitao's follow-up shot was blocked by a defender. Four minutes later, a well-coordinated play between Dinh Trong and Vitao on the left wing resulted in a cross to Dinh Bac, whose one-touch shot was again saved by Jeridi. Le Van Do's follow-up shot grazed the side netting.
A minute after this missed chance, Cebu almost scored. A swift counter-attack led to a cross from the left wing, but Corsame's close-range shot went wide of the right post.
| Match Statistics | ||
| Hanoi FC | Team | Dynamic Herb Cebu |
| 84% | Possession | 16% |
| 29 (7) | Shots (on target) | 5 (0) |
| 605 (88%) | Passes (accuracy) | 115 (47%) |
| 7 | Fouls | 13 |
| 9 | Corners | 3 |
In the 79th minute, Coach Polking substituted three foreign players: Vitao, Rogerio, and Alan, bringing on Pham Minh Phuc, Tran Duc Nam, and Phan Van Duc. Ten minutes later, this change proved decisive. From a right-wing cross, Van Duc's volley hit the left post. Duc Nam's follow-up was saved by Jeridi, but Cao Quang Vinh pounced on the loose ball before the Cebu goalkeeper could secure it, scoring for Hanoi FC.
The late goal brought relief to Hanoi FC. In the remaining Group A matches, BG Pathum United drew 2-2 with Buriram United, and Selangor defeated Tampines Rovers 4-2. This leaves Selangor leading the group with four points, tied with BG Pathum United but ahead on goal difference (+2 compared to +1). Hanoi FC has three points and a goal difference of 0, the same as Tampines Rovers, but sits in 4th place due to fewer goals scored (two compared to five). Defending champions Buriram United are in 5th place with two points, while Cebu remains at the bottom with no points.
The third round of matches will take place on 3/12. Buriram United will host Hanoi FC, a rematch of last season's final, while Tampines Rovers and Cebu will face BG Pathum United and Selangor, respectively.
Lineups:
Hanoi FC: Nguyen Filip, Hugo Gomes, Tran Dinh Trong, Pham Ly Duc (Dinh Bac 46’), Le Van Do, Cao Pendant Quang Vinh, Vitao (Pham Minh Phuc 79’), Stefan Mauk (Le Pham Thanh Long 46’), Rogerio Alves (Tran Duc Nam 79’), Alan Sebastiao (Phan Van Duc 79’), Leo Artur
Dynamic Herb Cebu: Rami Jeridi, Noah Leddel, Bryan Villanueva (Khudoidodzoda 59’), Amanhomm Khamis, Anderson Pinto, Roberto Corsame, Daniel Gadia, Kamil Amirul (Broce 90’+2), Rico Andes (Borlongan 90’+1), Esrom Paulos (Rosquillo 75’), Marius Kore (Victor Cabral 75’).
Hieu Luong
