6 foreign players on the field

Hanoi FC's chance

Tuan Hai headed the ball very hard. Pohang goalkeeper struggled to block it. Hanoi FC had a chance from a free kick.

Hanoi FC's chance

Pohang player blocked right in front of the goal line after Van Quyet's shot. The home team coordinated their attacks very well on the sidelines in this situation.

Pohang's Chance

In-sung shot hard from a distance but missed the target.

Pohang controlled the ball better than Hanoi FC. The home team prioritized defense in the first minutes of the match. Hanoi FC players' ball sense did not seem good enough for them to coordinate attacks as desired.

Hanoi FC arranged their squad in a 3-5-2 formation with the striker pair Caion-Tagueu. The home team's midfield consisted of Van Quyet and Hung Dung playing higher than midfielder Wilson. Tuan Hai and Jevtovic kept low positions on the two wings and the three central defenders were Marcao, Le Tallec and Duy Manh.

THE MATCH BEGINS

Hanoi FC 0-0 Pohang

Hanoi FC vs Pohang lineup

Hanoi FC: Bui Tan Truong (1), Do Duy Manh (2), Brandon Wilson (4), Damien Le Tallec (6), Pham Tuan Hai (9), Nguyen Van Quyet (10), Caion (17), Milan Jevtovic (33), Marcao (77), Do Hung Dung (88), Joel Tagueu (95)

Pohang: Hwang In-jae (21), Kim In-sung (7), Oberdan (8), Zeca (9), Kim Seung-dae (12), Han Chan-hee (16), Shin Kwang-hoon (17), Yoon Min-ho (19), Park Chan-yong (20), Ha Chang-rae (45), Wanderson Oliveira (77).

Hanoi FC vs Pohang Steelers Prediction

For the first time appearing in the AFC Champions League group stage, Hanoi FC faced Pohang Steelers (Korea). Although rated lower, the only representative of V-League still set the goal of not losing at home. Hanoi FC needed points in the first match of the most prestigious Asian playground to keep their hopes of passing the group stage alive.

Hanoi FC face Pohang Steelers in their first match in the AFC Champions League group stage.

After the 2023 season ended, the capital team had many changes in its squad. They said goodbye to some notable players such as Bui Hoang Viet Anh, Nguyen Van Vi, Tran Van Kien... and welcomed Pham Xuan Manh and Nguyen Van Hoang. However, to be able to compete in the Champions League, Hanoi FC needs a strong foreign force.

The current V-League runner-up team registered all 6 foreign players as allowed by the tournament's regulations. This means that some foreign players were recruited just to compete in the Asian tournament (because the V-League only allows each club to use 3 foreign players).

The problem for Hanoi FC is cohesion. With many changes in the squad, the capital team has not had much time to assemble. Not having much time to prepare before the season is a disadvantage for the V-League representative.

Pohang Steelers is one of the strongest teams in Korea. They are also a familiar name in the AFC Champions League with 3 championships. In 2021, Pohang Steelers was the runner-up of the tournament. The away team is rated higher and will be a difficult challenge for Hanoi FC.

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