On the evening of September 14, Hanoi FC won 1-0 against Binh Dinh in round 1 of LPBank V.League 2024-2025.
Speaking after the match, coach Bui Doan Quang Huy congratulated Hanoi FC, admitting that the home team played better.
Evaluating overseas Vietnamese player Tomas Duong Thanh Tung, Mr. Huy said: "Duong Thanh Tung is a new player, he needs time to adapt. I think he will gradually adapt and will contribute a lot in the future. Regarding the source of overseas Vietnamese players, it is currently very difficult and scarce. Finding an overseas Vietnamese player who meets the professional requirements of the V.League is not easy in the current situation."
The captain of Binh Dinh team also expressed his frustration about the refereeing and VAR technology in the last match.
"Our top goal is always to play as a team. Today's match had VAR but I don't understand what VAR did. Before Van Quyet scored, a Hanoi FC player elbowed a Binh Dinh defender in the eye. Why didn't the referee check whether the goal was valid or not?
In a previous match, when we committed a foul, the referee checked VAR very carefully, but in the situation where we conceded a goal, he did not. So what is the point of having VAR? We always respect the rules from the organizing committee, but the organizing committee needs to comply with the rules of the World Football Federation (FIFA). What is the point of having VAR?", said Mr. Bui Doan Quang Huy.
On the other side, coach Le Duc Tuan of Hanoi FC said: "This is my first match as head coach in V.League. It is an unforgettable memory, an indescribable feeling, both emotional and happy.
Thank you to the players for their fighting spirit. We had a difficult time in the first half because we wanted to show our skills but were afraid of making mistakes. In the second half, the team played more dangerously in the opponent's half. The striker who came on in the second half played quite well.
Compared to last season, Hanoi FC has focused more on second ball situations, and at the same time organized many interceptions so the opponent had no chance to counterattack.
In this match, Vietnamese-American player Kyle Colonna made his debut. Coach Le Duc Tuan said that Hanoi FC registered 1 Vietnamese-American player due to the club's choice. Many people applied but other positions are not necessary at this time.
"Colonna is the chosen one. He is trying to integrate well into the team. Colonna's mother is Vietnamese so maybe he will feel the culture, tradition, nutrition or team spirit.
The coaching staff is always ready to share. If there is any problem, Colonna will meet with us to ask and then do better. I think that is the highlight of this player," said the 42-year-old coach.
