Too difficult for Hanoi FC
Before the penultimate round of V.League 2024-2025, Hanoi FC has 46 points, 5 points behind Nam Dinh. Not to mention, the direct confrontation record of the capital representative is also worse when losing both the first and second leg. This caused Van Quyet and his teammates to face many disadvantages in the finishing stage.
Nam Dinh will definitely win the V.League championship 1 round early, if not lost to Quang Nam - a team that is having a difficult relegation race. The right to self-determination helps the home team at Thien Truong Stadium take control of the game. In case the team from Thanh Nam loses to their opponent, they need to wait for Hanoi to lose to The Cong Viettel in the "Capital derby".
For their part, Hanoi FC will only win the V.League if they meet many conditions at the same time. Accordingly, coach Makoto Teguramori's team needs to beat The Cong Viettel and Binh Dinh in the last 2 rounds to ensure a score of 52. At the same time, they also need Nam Dinh to lose both matches against Quang Nam and Hong Linh Ha Tinh.
This scenario is only really feasible on... TV series. Because in reality, Nam Dinh is in very high form. The last time the home team at Thien Truong Stadium failed in the V.League was in January (losing 0-1 to The Cong Viettel). In the last 13 consecutive matches, they have not lost any more matches in the domestic arena.
Moreover, with just 1 more point needed, plus 2 opponents in the underdog or having lost their target, Nam Dinh's championship defense rate is up to 99.99%.
What is the goal for Hanoi?
From a few rounds ago, after losing 0-3 to Nam Dinh, Hanoi FC actually thought about a situation of empty hands in the V.League for the third consecutive season. A series of 3 wins against Song Lam Nghe An, Ho Chi Minh City and most recently Hanoi Police only helped the Capital team maintain 2nd place, while ensuring a seat for coach Makoto Teguramori.
The Japanese strategist is likely to have his contract extended. He himself has also planned for Hanoi in the next season, from personnel to tactics. The arrival of foreign player Hendrio is part of this strategy.
Returning to V.League 2024-2025, Hanoi FC is currently 7 points ahead of the 3rd-placed team, Hanoi Police. In the context of the tournament with only 2 matches left, Van Quyet and his teammates will definitely win the runner-up position regardless of the result when facing The Cong Viettel and Binh Dinh.
Of course, this is a very good basis for coach Teguramori to experiment with the squad and give opportunities to young players, instead of "taking the opportunity to eat sticky rice" for the already hopeless championship race against Nam Dinh.
