Xuan Manh sparks Hanoi FC comeback win against former club

Vinh, May 10, 2025 – Hanoi FC battled back to defeat Song Lam Nghe An 2-1 in Round 22 of the LPBank V.League 2024-2025 at Vinh Stadium on May 10, with Pham Xuan Manh’s equalizer and Daniel Passira’s stoppage-time winner. The victory narrows Hanoi FC’s gap to leaders Nam Dinh FC (42 points) to two points, per VPF standings.

Trailing Nam Dinh FC by five points after a 3-0 loss, Hanoi FC faced pressure against a Song Lam Nghe An side desperate to avoid relegation. In the 26th minute, Ho Van Cuong earned a penalty after Vu Dinh Hai’s foul, and Michael Olaha converted past Quan Van Chuan to give Song Lam Nghe An a 1-0 lead, igniting 8,000 fans, akin to The Cong Viettel’s Hang Day crowds. Hanoi FC, led by Nguyen Van Quyet, responded with relentless attacks but found Song Lam Nghe An’s young defenders, mirroring Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s tenacity, resilient.

The tide turned in the 44th minute. Pham Xuan Manh, a Nghệ An native, sparked a move down the right, linking with Do Hung Dung and Van Quyet before slotting past Nguyen Van Viet. Respecting his hometown club, Manh refrained from celebrating, per VFF reports. Hanoi FC’s pressure persisted, and in the 100th minute, Pham Tuan Hai’s shot hit the post, rebounding for him to set up Passira’s decisive header, clinching a 2-1 win, per Sofascore.

Hanoi FC’s bench erupted, with coach Makoto Teguramori’s tactics, echoing Hanoi Police FC’s precision, outclassing Song Lam Nghe An’s grit. The result keeps Hanoi FC (40 points, 2nd) in the title race, pressuring Nam Dinh FC, who host Thanh Hoa FC on May 11. Song Lam Nghe An, stuck at 12th with 20 points, now lead bottom-placed Da Nang FC (17 points) by just three, with a play-off looming, per V.League data.

Passira’s fifth goal and Hung Dung’s midfield mastery, akin to Nam Dinh FC’s Kevin Pham Ba, highlight Hanoi FC’s depth. Song Lam Nghe An, despite Olaha’s seventh goal, face a tough trip to Ho Chi Minh City FC next, per 24h.com.vn. Hanoi FC’s comeback, watched by Vinh’s fervent crowd, mirroring Hai Phong FC’s Lach Tray, sets up a crucial clash with Becamex Binh Duong, as they aim to overtake Nam Dinh FC and end a three-year title drought, fueled by Thanh Hoa FC-like resilience.