Hanoi, April 6, 2025 – Hanoi FC’s commanding 3-1 win over Thanh Hoa in Round 17 of the V-League 2024-2025 on April 6 at Hang Day Stadium has reignited their championship hopes. After nearly slipping out of contention, a resurgence under coach Makoto Teguramori since his December 2024 appointment, coupled with stumbles from rivals, has Hanoi FC back on track. A victory over Thanh Hoa, paired with a potential The Cong Viettel slip against Quang Nam, could see Hanoi FC leap to second place.
Hosting a Thanh Hoa side winless in 11 matches at Hang Day was a golden opportunity, and Hanoi FC seized it. Thanh Hoa’s woes deepened after parting with coach Velizar Popov in March; new Croatian boss Tomislav Steinbruckner has yet to turn the tide. Their misfortune compounded when midfielder Doan Ngoc Tan suffered a severe injury in training three days prior, sidelining him until late June.
Hanoi FC’s attacking arsenal—Luka Bobicanec, Nguyen Hai Long, Nguyen Van Quyet, Do Hung Dung, and Daniel Passira—dominated early. In the 7th minute, Hai Long’s neat control and shot signaled intent, though it flew wide. At the 17th minute, Passira teed up Bobicanec, but the unmarked Croatian blasted over. Amid the forwards’ slow start, defender Do Duy Manh broke the deadlock in the 28th minute, powering a header from Bobicanec’s pinpoint right-wing cross past goalkeeper Trinh Xuan Hoang.
Hanoi FC pressed their advantage, while Thanh Hoa floundered. In the 31st minute, a swift move found captain Nguyen Van Quyet, who danced past two defenders only for his shot to lack venom against Xuan Hoang. The breakthrough doubled in the 48th minute—Hai Long’s incisive run and deft flick set up Passira, who outpaced a defender and slotted past the advancing Xuan Hoang for 2-0.
Thanh Hoa stirred at 2-0 down. In the 55th minute, Lucas Ribalmar beat the offside trap and crossed for Le Van Thuan to drill a sharp finish, cutting it to 2-1—a goal upheld after review. But Hanoi FC snuffed out any comeback. In the 61st minute, Van Quyet’s headed assist freed Passira, who outfoxed Xuan Hoang in a one-on-one, rifling into the near corner for 3-1.
Passira’s second killed Thanh Hoa’s hopes. Hanoi FC controlled the late stages, stifling any fightback. With this win, they trail leaders Nam Dinh by four points, keeping the title race alive.
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