Coach Velizar Popov expressed his satisfaction after Thanh Hoa secured a 1-0 victory against Hanoi Police FC in the second round of the 2024-2025 V-League season on the evening of September 20 at Hang Day Stadium.
Despite controlling only 36.5% possession and having fewer attempts with just eight shots compared to Hanoi Police FC, Thanh Hoa managed to claim all three points. The match’s only goal came in the 59th minute when Antonio won the ball in midfield and quickly passed to Yago Ramos. Ramos calmly slotted the ball between the legs of goalkeeper Filip Nguyen, delivering Thanh Hoa’s first win of the new season.
After the game, Coach Popov praised his players: “My players have great stamina; they ran constantly, pressed high, and didn’t leave any space for the opposition to play. They strictly followed our tactical plan and patiently waited for counter-attacking opportunities. We only had two chances, and one of them led to the goal.”
Known for his passionate and energetic approach, Coach Popov was once again a commanding presence on the touchline, shouting instructions and encouraging his team throughout the match. Even during a heavy rainstorm that paused the game for over 30 minutes, he remained out on the field to motivate his players.
Popov emphasized the importance of playing aggressively and pressing against a strong team like Hanoi Police FC: “We may not have the same quality of players as our opponents, so pressing and applying pressure were absolutely crucial. If we allowed them to control the ball, we would have faced significant challenges.”
When asked if he was surprised by the victory, Popov confidently replied, “I’m not surprised at all. If I didn’t believe in a win, we wouldn’t have come here.” He further added that Thanh Hoa could beat any team if the refereeing was fair and expressed disappointment that they didn’t win against Binh Duong in the previous week’s 2-1 loss.
On the other side, Hanoi Police FC’s coach Mano Polking is under increasing pressure after failing to secure a win in two matches. Despite having a squad full of top talent, including national team players like Filip Nguyen, Vu Van Thanh, Nguyen Quang Hai, and highly rated overseas Vietnamese player Jason Quang Vinh, his team has struggled to find its form. In their previous match, Hanoi Police FC conceded a stoppage-time equalizer in a 1-1 draw with Hai Phong.
Polking admitted his team needs more time to build cohesion and regain focus: “We have quality players, but the team needs time to gel.” He also hinted that the absence of a target striker might be a key issue. Newly signed forward Alan Grafite is sidelined with a long-term injury, while Leo Artur, tested in that role, has yet to show his full potential.
In the next round, Hanoi Police FC will host Binh Duong at home, while Thanh Hoa will face Hai Phong.
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