Hanoi, 7 September, 2025 – Vietnam’s national team secured a narrow 4-3 victory over Hanoi Police FC in a thrilling friendly match on the evening of September 7, with striker Nguyen Tien Linh among the scorers.
In his second match in charge as acting head coach, Dinh Hong Vinh once again fielded a competitive starting XI. Goalkeeper Quan Van Chuan started behind a back four of Do Duy Manh, Tran Dinh Trong, Phan Tuan Tai, and Pham Xuan Manh. The midfield quartet featured Nguyen Duc Chien, Nguyen Hoang Duc, Cao Quang Vinh, and Chau Ngoc Quang, while Nguyen Tien Linh partnered Pham Tuan Hai in attack.
On the opposite side, Hanoi Police FC coach Mano Polking also opted to test his key players. Filip Nguyen guarded the net, with defenders Tran Dinh Trong, Bui Hoang Viet Anh, Giap Tuan Duong, and Nguyen Van Duc forming the back line. The midfield included Le Pham Thanh Long, Nham Van Toan, and Tran Duc Nam, while Nguyen Quang Hai was tasked with linking play to striker Nguyen Duc Nam.
Vietnam started strongly and quickly demonstrated their attacking intent. Tien Linh opened the scoring with a decisive finish, before Tuan Hai doubled the lead with a clinical strike. Hanoi Police FC responded late in the first half when Duc Nam pulled one back to make it 2-1 heading into the break.
The second half brought wholesale changes, similar to Vietnam’s earlier friendly against Nam Dinh. Acting coach Vinh rotated nearly the entire lineup, leaving only Ngoc Quang on the pitch, while Polking gave young goalkeeper Trinh Dinh Minh Hoang a chance to impress.
The game opened up further, with Vietnam extending their lead through goals from Tran Viet Hung and Nguyen Van Vi, making it 4-1. But Hanoi Police FC showed resilience as Van Toan and Van Do struck in quick succession to reduce the deficit to 3-4.
In the closing minutes, both sides created additional opportunities, but neither could find the net again. The final whistle confirmed a narrow win for Vietnam in what proved to be a valuable exercise for both teams.
For Vietnam, the match not only highlighted the importance of senior players like Tien Linh, but also provided crucial game time for younger prospects seeking to impress ahead of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. Meanwhile, Hanoi Police FC will take positives from their spirited second-half fightback and the performances of their younger players.
The friendly ended with plenty of encouragement for both camps: Vietnam maintained momentum, while Hanoi Police FC gained useful lessons for the challenges of the domestic and regional season ahead.
Hong Phuc
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