Pressure on coach Teguramori
The second season of coach Makoto Teguramori at Hanoi FC did not start smoothly. In the first 3 matches of V.League 2025-2026, the Capital team has not won any, losing 1-2 to Ho Chi Minh City Police, drawing 0-0 with Hoang Anh Gia Lai and losing 2-4 to Hanoi Police.
The Japanese coach clearly felt the pressure was getting bigger and bigger, despite having just signed a 1-year contract with an extension clause with the home team at Hang Day Stadium.
The FIFA Days in September with nearly 2 weeks of V.League break is a valuable time for Mr. Teguramori to acknowledge and evaluate the Hanoi FC force. Above all, he needs to prepare carefully for the home team's match with The Cong Viettel in the 2025-2026 National Cup qualifiers.
If they overcome their opponents, coach Teguramori will temporarily be safe at Hanoi FC. On the contrary, no one was sure that this strategist could keep his seat.
Hanoi FC itself also understands that the National Cup is a suitable front to compete for the championship in the season celebrating the 20th anniversary of the team's founding. Compared to V.League, the competition and the match fund towards the championship in the National Cup are lower.
This is also the reason why even mid-level teams such as Dong A Thanh Hoa, Song Lam Nghe An, Hoang Anh Gia Lai... are eager to go deep or boldly set big goals in this arena.
Need a boost
However, it should be added that the challenge for Hanoi FC in this important corner is The Cong Viettel. This is one of the 3 best starting clubs in V.League, along with Hanoi Police and Ninh Binh. Quality contracts from domestic and foreign players, overseas Vietnamese... help the army team return to the ambitious race like 4 years ago.
In addition to his invested internal resources and ambitions to improve his skills, coach Velizar Popov also received maximum support from his students, one of whom was Phan Tuan Tai.
Remember in the pre-season, Tuan Tai had difficulty adapting to Mr. Popov's tactics. However, after a period of working, both sides found a common voice and at this time, he became an important link on the left wing of The Cong Viettel.
In addition, many players are also promoting their abilities under the leadership of Bulgarian strategist such as Wesley Nata, Tien Anh, Kyle Colonna...
The stronger The Cong Viettel is, the more difficult the challenge that Hanoi FC has to face. From an objective perspective, this will be a test of strength, class and position that the Capital team must take.
If they win, Hanoi FC will not only continue in the National Cup, but this is also an important spiritual boost for the players to overcome the current difficult situation.
It is known that on September 9, Hanoi FC President - Do Vinh Quang directly came to the stadium to watch and encourage coach Teguramori and his team.
Some national players such as Xuan Manh, Duy Manh, Tuan Hai also quickly returned to practice with their home team after the FIFA Days in September. U23 Vietnam player - Nguyen Van Truong is in good form and excited to return to his home club.
This will become a psychological lever, adding energy and will to Hanoi FC before the decisive match in the 2025-2026 season.
