Pleiku, 9 November 2025 – Thanks to a dramatic equalizer in the 100th minute by defender Dinh Quang Kiet, Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) managed to secure a crucial 1-1 draw against Thanh Hoa at Pleiku Stadium on November 9, narrowly avoiding the bottom spot of the V.League 1 2025-2026 standings.
In what was considered a “relegation six-pointer” of the V.League 1 2025-2026 season, HAGL kept one point at Pleiku Stadium after a thrilling 1-1 draw with Thanh Hoa on the evening of November 9. The home team’s saving moment came deep into stoppage time, when center-back Dinh Quang Kiet scored in the 100th minute to rescue a vital result.
Despite the late equalizer, the outcome was disappointing for coach Le Quang Trai and his players, who were expected to secure a much-needed win before the league pauses for the November FIFA Days.
Prior to this round, HAGL had shown signs of resurgence with a 2-1 victory over The Cong Viettel and a 2-2 draw against defending champions Nam Dinh, leading fans to hope for a strong climb up the standings. However, inconsistency once again plagued the team. The mountain city side proved capable of challenging stronger opponents but struggled when facing teams of similar quality. Consecutive results — a 0-1 loss to Hong Linh Ha Tinh and a 1-1 draw with Thanh Hoa — highlighted their inability to capitalize on favorable fixtures to earn crucial points.
Elsewhere, Hai Phong FC produced an impressive performance, defeating Da Nang FC 3-1. The result significantly reshaped the lower end of the standings. Da Nang sank to the bottom with only 7 points (goal difference -8), followed by PVF-CAND with 8 points (-10). Thanh Hoa (8 points, -6) and HAGL (8 points, -7) now occupy 11th and 12th places respectively, with goal difference being the only separator.
The most spectacular match of the round took place at Thong Nhat Stadium, where Cong An TP.HCM (HCMC Police FC) faced league leaders Ninh Binh FC. The encounter produced seven goals and endless drama. After conceding early, HCMC Police FC stormed back with three goals to lead 3-2 at halftime. However, Ninh Binh mounted an impressive comeback in the second half, scoring twice to complete a thrilling 4-3 victory, thereby strengthening their lead at the top of the table with 27 points.
Despite the defeat, coach Le Huynh Duc’s young squad earned praise for their spirit and performance, particularly as their experienced domestic and foreign players failed to make an impact. All three goals for the home side came from players aged 23 or under: Vo Huu Viet Hoang (born 2002), Lee Williams (2007), and Nguyen Duc Phu (2003). Notably, Lee Williams holds dual nationality — British and Vietnamese — with his mother being of Vietnamese origin.
Meanwhile, in another match of the round, Song Lam Nghe An (SLNA) claimed an impressive 2-1 victory over Becamex Ho Chi Minh FC, continuing their climb away from the lower half of the standings.
The V.League 1 2025-2026 will now pause for international fixtures before resuming later this month, with several clubs at the bottom — including HAGL — desperately seeking form to escape the relegation battle.
Hai Yen
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