Ho Chi Minh City, 25 October 2025 – In a thrilling encounter at the Thong Nhat Stadium, Hanoi FC edged Ho Chi Minh City FC 3-2 thanks to goals from Passira, Do Hoang Hen, and a late header by Pham Xuan Manh, securing their second win under head coach Harry Kewell.
Hanoi FC earned a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Ho Chi Minh City FC in a dramatic V.League 1 match filled with attacking flair, missed chances, and late drama. The capital club showed resilience after falling behind early, as new head coach Harry Kewell continues to imprint his style on the team.
The match started brightly for Hanoi FC, who created two early opportunities through Daniel Passira, but the Brazilian forward squandered both within the opening 10 minutes. The missed chances proved costly when Ho Chi Minh City struck first — Viet Cuong made a clever run to latch onto a long pass before finishing coolly past goalkeeper Quan Van Chuan, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Hanoi pressed for an equalizer and were eventually rewarded just before halftime. In the 45th minute, Nguyen Hai Long delivered a teasing cross that goalkeeper Nguyen Minh Toan failed to handle cleanly, allowing Passira to pounce on the loose ball and slot home from close range to level the score 1-1.
The visitors carried their momentum into the second half. In the 55th minute, Passira was fouled inside the penalty area, and newly naturalized midfielder Do Hoang Hen (formerly Hendrio Araujo) calmly converted from the spot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 2-1 for Hanoi FC.
Ho Chi Minh City responded strongly with several dangerous efforts, but goalkeeper Quan Van Chuan produced key saves to preserve the lead. In the 78th minute, the home side had a golden chance to equalize when they were awarded a penalty after Viet Cuong was fouled. However, Oduenyi blasted his spot kick over the crossbar, letting Hanoi off the hook.
As the match entered stoppage time, Hanoi sealed the victory with a decisive third goal. In the 90+2 minute, Pham Xuan Manh rose highest to head home a pinpoint cross from Do Hung Dung, extending the visitors’ advantage to 3-1. Ho Chi Minh City pulled one back deep into injury time when Hugo Alves converted another penalty in the 90+10 minute, but it was too late to change the outcome.
With this result, Hanoi FC claimed a valuable away win and showed encouraging progress under coach Harry Kewell. The victory lifts them back into the top half of the V.League 1 standings, while Ho Chi Minh City continues to search for consistency as the league enters its next phase.
Dang Long
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