Hanoi Police FC faced off against Hai Phong at Lach Tray Stadium in a much-anticipated V-League 2024-2025 opener, following a busy transfer window. Hanoi Police FC bolstered their squad with key additions, including Vietnamese-French left-back Jason Quang Vinh Pendant, who spent several years playing in Ligue 2, and central midfielder Vitao to enhance midfield stability. The return of Phan Van Duc and the striking duo of Leonardo Artur and Alan Sebastiao also brought creativity and strength to the attack.
From the outset, Hanoi Police FC applied pressure, utilizing high-quality crosses to trouble the Hai Phong defense. In the 25th minute, Quang Hai sent a dangerous ball from outside the box to Phan Van Duc at the far post, whose header was saved by goalkeeper Dinh Trieu, deflecting off the crossbar. Just four minutes later, Leonardo Artur opened the scoring. After a corner from Le Pham Thanh Long was deflected, Quang Hai collected the ball and delivered a pinpoint cross for Artur, whose initial header was saved, but he followed up to slot the rebound home, giving Hanoi Police FC a 1-0 lead.
Hanoi Police FC nearly doubled the advantage when Artur set up Vu Van Thanh at the far post, but Dinh Trieu made a crucial save to prevent the goal. Despite dominating much of the first half, Hanoi Police FC could not extend their lead.
In the second half, Hanoi Police FC continued to control the game. In the 56th minute, Phan Van Duc unleashed a powerful left-footed shot from 22 meters, but Dinh Trieu made another impressive save. As Hai Phong pushed forward in search of an equalizer, Hanoi Police FC found more space for counter-attacks, often creating numerical advantages of five or six against four, but the visitors failed to capitalize and put the game beyond reach.
In the final minutes, Hai Phong piled on the pressure, forcing Hanoi Police FC into defensive mode. During stoppage time, Trieu Viet Hung delivered a cross from the left, and Jose Pinto laid the ball off with his chest to Lucao Vinicius, who fired home to secure a 1-1 draw for Hai Phong.
The result left Hanoi Police FC disappointed, as they missed the chance to start the V-League season with a victory, despite a morale-boosting 2-1 win over Thai League 1 champions Buriram United in the opening round of the Southeast Asian Club Cup. Hanoi Police FC’s winless record at Lach Tray continues, having previously lost 0-2 and 1-3 on their last two visits to Hai Phong’s home ground.
In another match played at the same time, The Cong and Ho Chi Minh City FC played out a 0-0 draw at Thong Nhat Stadium.
After the first round, Hoang Anh Gia Lai tops the V-League table following a 4-0 victory over Quang Nam. Binh Duong, Hanoi FC, and Ha Tinh follow with three points each but are behind on goal difference. Defending champions Nam Dinh and last season’s runners-up Binh Dinh both suffered 1-0 defeats to Ha Tinh and Hanoi FC, respectively.
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