The champion is about to be revealed.

The 3-0 victory against Ho Chi Minh City Police FC at Binh Duong Stadium in Round 19 not only helped Hanoi Police FC regain their prestige but also marked a crucial turning point in the V-League championship race.

Coach Alexandre Polking's team successfully defended their 7-point lead over The Cong Viettel (second place) and their 11-point lead over Ninh Binh (third place). With only 7 rounds remaining, Ninh Binh has virtually no chance of winning the championship. The race is now a two-horse race between Hanoi Police FC (CAHN) and The Cong Viettel. With 7 points, CAHN can afford to slip up in their last two matches, while The Cong Viettel must win all their remaining games to have any hope of reclaiming the title after a 6-year wait. Every misstep for the police team at this point would be disadvantageous, while their opponent can afford to make mistakes with their current advantage. This is a significant difference in mindset – a factor that will determine the championship race. CAHN will face The Cong Viettel in the final round. If both teams are still competing for the championship by then, the clash will be considered the season's final.

Hanoi Police Club speeds towards the finish line.

PHOTO: VPF

Considering the schedule leading up to round 26, CAHN Club also has an advantage with 4 home games (The Cong Viettel has 3 remaining) and lower difficulty. In the next 6 matches, Dinh Bac and his teammates will only face one opponent with a clear objective (Thanh Hoa in round 23), while opponents like SLNA, Hai Phong, Nam Dinh, Ha Tinh, and Becamex Ho Chi Minh City are almost out of motivation for results, having almost certainly secured their survival in the league but also struggling to reach the top 3. Conversely, The Cong Viettel must face 3 teams with full motivation: Da Nang Club (round 20) and PVF-CAND (round 24) in the relegation battle, along with Ninh Binh (round 21) - a team that still has a chance to take the second place currently held by The Cong Viettel. Opponents caught in a "quagmire" of survival or vying for the top spot all possess the potential to spring a major surprise, and even a team like The Cong Viettel, which has won 7 out of their last 9 matches, cannot underestimate them. This is especially true while the team is still without coach Velizar Popov, who was suspended from coaching due to a retroactive penalty from the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF).

However, the key to CAHN's dominance lies within the team itself. After two years of coaching, Mr. Polking has molded a consistent image and philosophy for the former V-League champions. CAHN's style of play is characterized by control, fluid passing, and diverse, well-structured attacks thanks to a quality squad across all three lines. CAHN is also one of the rare teams in the V-League where both domestic and foreign players are top-class. Alan Grafite, Leo Artur, Stefan Mauk, Vitao, Rogerio Alves… bring superior technical quality and physical strength, filling the gaps for national team players like Quang Hai, Thanh Long, Viet Anh, Dinh Bac, Van Hau, Cao Pendant Quang Vinh, Dinh Trong, and Nguyen Filip.

What sets CAHN FC apart is its stable squad, from the coaching staff to the players. While The Cong Viettel, Hanoi FC, and Ninh Binh FC constantly change coaches and revamp their lineups, CAHN FC maintains consistency for at least two or three seasons. This stable playing style and personnel structure allows CAHN FC to compete exceptionally well over the long term, demonstrating superior strength in a league that demands resilience and minimal disruption. Contract extensions for Alan Grafite, Van Hau, Dinh Trong, Viet Anh, and Thanh Long are also timely commitments, ensuring the players can focus on the most crucial stage of the season.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nha-vo-dich-sap-lo-dien-185260420203947927.htm