What's wrong, Hanoi FC?

Hanoi FC's dismal start to the 2025-2026 season might make many people forget that it was once the most historically successful force in Vietnamese professional football.

Hanoi FC (in yellow jerseys) squandered opportunities and lost 0-1 to The Cong - Viettel in the qualifying round of the 2025-2026 National Cup - Photo: NGOC LE

Hanoi FC has gone four consecutive matches without a win in both the V-League and the National Cup. The capital city team lost 1-2 to Ho Chi Minh City Police, drew 0-0 with Hoang Anh Gia Lai, suffered a heavy 2-4 defeat against Hanoi Police before losing 0-1 to The Cong - Viettel.

Didn't recognize Hanoi FC.

The defeat of The Cong - Viettel on the evening of September 14th in the National Cup was nothing short of a slap in the face to Hanoi's ambitions of regaining their former glory. The capital city team was eliminated from the National Cup, officially losing a chance to compete for the title just as the season had begun.

The last time Hanoi was eliminated in the qualifying round of the National Cup was in 2010, but that was when Hanoi T&T (the predecessor of Hanoi FC) had just been promoted to the V-League. In the years that followed, the capital city team consistently showed the image of a powerhouse, evidenced by 3 championship titles, the second most in the history of Vietnamese football.

A slow start is a common "habit" for Hanoi FC every season. But four winless matches is Hanoi's worst start in the last 10 years. What's happening to the capital city's team?

"There are many factors contributing to Hanoi's poor performance at the moment. Perhaps because we finished as runners-up in the V-League last season, we became somewhat complacent. In addition, the team's pre-season preparation wasn't very good," shared head coach Makoto Teguramori.

Meanwhile, another foreign coach, Velizar Popov (The Cong - Viettel), expressed sympathy, saying that Hanoi was somewhat unlucky.

The disappointment of veteran captain Van Quyet - Photo: NGOC LE

Luck is also an important factor in football. Looking back at Hanoi FC's journey since the beginning of the season, it's clear they've lacked this element. In their first four matches, Hanoi FC had to face two other title contenders: Hanoi Police FC and The Cong - Viettel.

Hanoi Police are in excellent form and possess a squad considered superior to Hanoi. The Cong - Viettel have also significantly upgraded their lineup ahead of the new season and have spent months honing their skills under the guidance of the "maverick" Popov. Against these two teams, any mistake will be costly.

However, bad luck cannot be used as an excuse for Hanoi FC's defeat. When facing two weaker opponents, Ho Chi Minh City Police and Hoang Anh Gia Lai , the capital city team almost single-handedly "shot themselves in the foot," missing one opportunity after another and failing to score.

Without a win, the morale of Hanoi FC was further affected. On numerous occasions on the field, older players like Van Quyet and Hung Dung had to frown and admonish their younger teammates.

The difficulties in the generational transition are inevitable for any football team. But in Hanoi, it seems the team hasn't yet found a sufficiently good successor generation to replace the old one.

Hanoi does not yet have a sufficiently good successor generation compared to its predecessors - Photo: NGOC LE

The risk of dismissing the general.

As head coach, Makoto Teguramori (Japan) is naturally responsible for the team's performance. He was hired to lead Hanoi FC to victory in a season that will celebrate the team's 20th anniversary.

Having lost the National Cup, the team now only has the V-League left. But with this kind of start, and with many other teams also eager for the championship, it will be very difficult for Hanoi to win the title.

Therefore, after the defeat against The Cong - Viettel, the Japanese strategist clearly showed a sad and disappointed expression. Sitting on pins and needles, his future seemed to be measured in days.

Coach Makoto's (center) future is practically numbered – Photo: NGOC LE

Hanoi FC has become a "coach-churning machine," having replaced nearly a dozen coaches in just the past few seasons. Foreign strategists from Asia and Europe who come to Hanoi FC, if they don't achieve the desired results, have to leave.

Makoto said that Hanoi must win when they face The Cong - Viettel again in round 4 of the V-League on September 20th, but the capital city team's management will probably not wait until that match to make a decision.

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NGOC LE

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/sao-the-clb-ha-noi-20250915095426123.htm