Hanoi, 20 September, 2025 – On the evening of September 20, Hanoi FC hosted The Cong Viettel at Hang Day Stadium in a Round 4 clash of the V.League 1 2025-2026 season. Coming into the encounter, Hanoi FC were determined to avenge their recent defeat against their military rivals, which had seen them eliminated early from the National Cup.
The capital derby lived up to its billing, with a tense and evenly matched contest unfolding under the floodlights. The fixture was given extra intrigue by Hanoi FC’s recent coaching change, as former VFF technical director Yusuke Adachi took charge for the first time following the departure of Makoto Teguramori.
The first clear chance fell to the home side in the 10th minute. Captain Nguyen Van Quyet unleashed a powerful effort from close range, only to be denied by a superb reflex save from goalkeeper Tran Van Viet.
Hanoi eventually broke the deadlock in the 36th minute with a well-crafted move. Van Quyet threaded a precise through ball into the path of Nguyen Tuan Hai, who showed great composure by delicately chipping the ball past the onrushing Van Viet to make it 1-0 for the hosts.
Before the break, Hanoi FC created two more dangerous opportunities, but Tuan Hai and his teammates were unable to convert and extend the lead.
Early in the second half, Hanoi nearly doubled their advantage. Tuan Hai whipped in a perfect low cross for Lucao, whose close-range shot seemed destined for the net until Van Viet produced another spectacular diving save to keep The Cong Viettel in the game.
The visitors made Hanoi pay for their missed chances in the 54th minute. A clever through ball split the defense, allowing Khuat Van Khang to surge into the box and calmly slot the ball past goalkeeper Van Hoang to level the score at 1-1.
The equalizer injected more intensity into the derby, as both sides traded attacks in search of a decisive goal. Hanoi continued to press, while The Cong Viettel grew in confidence, creating several threatening moments of their own. In the 72nd minute, captain Bui Tien Dung came agonizingly close to turning the match in Viettel’s favor, but his header crashed against the post.
Despite late pressure from both sides, neither team could find the breakthrough. Van Viet, the standout performer for The Cong Viettel, produced multiple key saves to ensure the match ended in a stalemate.
The 1-1 draw leaves both Hanoi FC and The Cong Viettel frustrated but also relieved, as each team avoided defeat in one of the fiercest rivalries in Vietnamese football.
Hong Phuc
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