Despite enjoying the home advantage at Pleiku, Hoang Anh Gia Lai could not contain a dominant performance by Hanoi FC, whose attacking prowess created numerous chances throughout the match. In a game that showcased both moments of brilliance and costly errors, Hanoi FC secured a comfortable 3–0 victory in their Round 14 V-League 2024/2025 encounter on the afternoon of February 21.
Right from the opening minutes, Hanoi FC imposed their aggressive style of play. By the fifth minute, the visitors had already threatened the Hoang Anh Gia Lai goal. Luka Bobicanec, displaying deft footwork, unleashed a long-range effort that nearly tested Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien. The young keeper, however, made a remarkable save using his fingertips, keeping the score level and buying crucial time for his side. Shortly after, at the 27th minute, a well-rehearsed free-kick saw Hanoi FC’s Thanh Chung rise near the far post to head the ball toward goal, yet the effort lacked the necessary pace to breach the Hoang Anh Gia Lai defense.
Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s strategy was to absorb pressure and counterattack when opportunities arose. Their players patiently waited for set-piece situations or breakthroughs along the flanks, hoping to exploit any lapse in Hanoi FC’s organized play. Despite these plans, the disciplined and relentless approach of Hanoi FC meant that even Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s moments of counterattack were insufficient to change the tide of the match.
As the game progressed into the second half, Hanoi FC intensified their pressure. Between minutes 52 and 61, the visitors created four clear-cut scoring chances, each threatening to widen the gap. It was during this period that Tran Trung Kien again emerged as a hero for Hoang Anh Gia Lai, making a series of acrobatic saves to thwart dangerous attempts from Bobicanec, Văn Quyet, Hùng Dũng, and Thành Chung. Although his performances were commendable, his heroics could only delay the inevitable.
The breakthrough finally came in the 67th minute when Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s central defender Lý Đức committed a foul inside the penalty area. The referee promptly awarded a penalty, and Bobicanec stepped up to convert, giving Hanoi FC a vital 1–0 lead. This decision underscored the mounting pressure on Hoang Anh Gia Lai, who, despite their home support, struggled to cope with the persistent onslaught.
Matters worsened for the home side when, in the 76th minute, Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s Jairo Rodrigues was involved in a dangerous challenge. Initially shown a yellow card for his rough play, a subsequent VAR review led the referee to upgrade the caution to a straight red card, leaving Hoang Anh Gia Lai a man down. The numerical disadvantage further compounded their defensive woes and allowed Hanoi FC to dictate the tempo of the match with even greater authority.
With their lead and numerical superiority, Hanoi FC continued to press forward. In the dying moments of regulation, a foul by Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s defender Tran Trung Kien on a Hanoi FC player inside the penalty area resulted in another penalty. Joao Pedro stepped up and confidently converted the spot-kick in the 90+8 minute to extend the scoreline to 2–0. Just two minutes later, freshly substituted Văn Tùng made an immediate impact by scoring a well-timed header, sealing a comprehensive 3–0 win for Hanoi FC.
Overall, the match demonstrated Hanoi FC’s ability to dominate possession and exploit defensive errors. Despite a spirited effort from Hoang Anh Gia Lai and commendable performances from their goalkeeper, the visitors’ clinical finishing and effective use of set-piece opportunities ultimately decided the contest. Had Tran Trung Kien not produced a series of outstanding saves, Hanoi FC might have secured an even more emphatic victory, further highlighting the gulf between the two sides on that day.
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