Change "genuine general" to change luck

The highlight match of round 7 of V-League 2025-2026 is the competition between Hanoi Club and Ninh Binh Club at Hang Day Stadium at 7:15 p.m. on October 18 (FPT Play).

Expectations on coach Kewell's experience

Before the 7th round of V-League 2025-2026, Hanoi FC made many changes to improve their performance. The capital team recruited famous coach Harry Kewell and Do Hoang Hen (Hendrio Araujo) as "domestic players" when they were recognized as naturalized.

Hanoi FC once dominated Vietnamese professional football with a record of 6 V-League titles, 3 National Cups, and 5 National Super Cups. However, in the last 3 V-League seasons, the "purple shirt" team could not win the championship.

After parting ways with the pillars of Quang Hai, Duc Huy, Dinh Trong, Viet Anh…, Hanoi FC lost its competitive identity. The policy of buying low-quality foreign players combined with the decline of veteran domestic players made Hanoi FC face many difficulties when competing with opponents of equal level.

Thay — Coach Harry Kewell will be introduced to Hanoi FC fans and V-League fans tonight (October 18). Graphics: VE LOAN

By successfully recruiting coach Harry Kewell, the Hanoi Club's Board of Directors hopes to help the team regain its form, renew its attacking style of play and regain its top position. Mr. Kewell is a famous former Australian football player and was once famous in the Premier League. When he was at his peak, he was a great winger with a modern attacking football mindset.

During his playing career, Kewell was a "hero" of famous clubs Leeds United, Liverpool and Galatasaray. When moving to coaching, the 47-year-old Australian strategist has 4 years of experience working in England, 2 years leading Yokohama F. Marinos Club (J-League), before moving to Hanoi Club.

Coach Kewell quickly recognized the strengths and weaknesses of his players when they arrived in Vietnam. During the first training session with the new team, he continuously gave tactical training exercises to improve the flexibility of the Hanoi FC players.

Coach Kewell requires his players to always think quickly to know what to do with and without the ball. This is a familiar training method for players playing in the Premier League.

In addition, the new coach of Hanoi FC also analyzed the video of 6 matches involving Ninh Binh FC - the first opponent he faced in the V-League. Coach Kewell's professionalism was highly appreciated by the players and they tried to quickly adapt to the playing philosophy he built.

Talking about the new "captain", defender Xuan Manh commented: "Mr. Kewell is expected to bring a new breeze, revive the team's fighting spirit, create a comfortable mindset and increase confidence before the match. Personally, I am very excited to work with him and look forward to new things from a coach with many successful experiences in his playing career."

Increase attack power

Completing the naturalization procedures, Brazilian midfielder Hendrio Araujo officially became a Vietnamese citizen with the new name Do Hoang Hen from October 17. This creates a force advantage for Hanoi FC in the remaining journey of V-League 2025-2026.

Hoang Hen moved to Hanoi FC in the middle of the 2024-2025 season but has not played in the 2025-2026 season. The 31-year-old midfielder came from the famous Barcelona training camp and spent many years playing for famous clubs in Brazil, Spain, Portugal... before moving to Vietnam to play in the V-League.

Hoang Hen possesses good personal technique, sharp vision, and dangerous finishing. He and Nguyen Xuan Son (Rafaelson) contributed greatly to Nam Dinh Club's miracle of winning the V-League championship for 2 consecutive years. Previously, Hendrio was also a mainstay in Binh Dinh Club's squad, bringing home the V-League 3rd place title and the National Cup runner-up in the 2022 season.

Along with rookie Do Hoang Hen are many experienced veterans such as: captain Van Quyet, Tuan Hai, Hai Long, Duy Manh...

Facing the top team Ninh Binh is also an opportunity for Coach Kewell's team to regain their position as a championship candidate. A victory will help them shorten the gap with the team of the ancient capital Hoa Lu. After 6 rounds, Hanoi FC is temporarily ranked 6th with 8 points, 6 points behind Ninh Binh.

At 6pm on October 18, Becamex Ho Chi Minh City Club will face the home team - the defending champion Nam Dinh Club. At Thong Nhat Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City Police Club will play Ha Tinh Club at 7:15pm on October 19.