The highly anticipated match of V-League Round 8 between Hanoi Police FC and Ho Chi Minh City Police FC evoked glorious memories of Vietnamese professional football in the 1980s and 1990s.
Competing for the Top 3
Both police teams currently have 14 points, but Hanoi Police FC is temporarily ranked third in the standings due to a better goal difference than Ho Chi Minh City Police FC and having played one less match. With the home advantage and a higher-quality squad, Hanoi Police FC is considered slightly superior.
Hanoi Police FC participates in four tournaments (V-League, National Cup, AFC Champions League Two, and Southeast Asian Champions League), so they have received significant investment in personnel this season. Not only do they possess many talented domestic players, but the team also has a high-class lineup of foreign players across all positions. Hanoi Police FC is one of the three undefeated teams in the V-League this season, scoring a total of 13 goals and conceding only 5 in 6 matches.
The foreign duo of Alan Alexandre and Artur de Melo of Hanoi Police FC are leading the "Top Scorer" list with 6 and 5 goals respectively. In the AFC Champions League II, the team also has a strong chance of reaching the knockout round, showcasing a modern, diverse, and highly effective attacking style of play.
Hanoi Police FC's consistent form in the early stages of the season solidified their position as a V-League title contender. However, playing in multiple competitions with a high frequency of matches has made squad rotation difficult for the team. Many key players such as Quang Hai, Van Thanh, Viet Anh, Dinh Trong, Van Duc, and Van Hau… have suffered or are currently suffering from persistent injuries due to continuous play, forcing them to stay away from the pitch for extended periods.
This gives the Ho Chi Minh City Police Club an advantage in their trip to Hang Day Stadium. Coach Le Huynh Duc's team may not yet have the potential to compete for the domestic league championship this season, but they have shown progress and improvement compared to last season.
The Ho Chi Minh City Police Club is unlikely to match the star-studded squad of the home team, Hanoi Police. However, in the last five encounters between the two teams since 2023, the Ho Chi Minh City Police Club (formerly known as Ho Chi Minh City FC) has won two and lost two. This season, the team playing at Thong Nhat Stadium, under the guidance of coach Le Huynh Duc, has won four and drawn two of their seven V-League matches. While a victory against a formidable opponent like Hanoi Police Club is difficult, securing points in the eighth matchday is a realistic goal for the Ho Chi Minh City Police Club.
Ho Chi Minh City Police Club is expected to recreate the dramatic derby match with Hanoi Police Club. (Photo: THAO HOANG)
Reliving memories
Throughout history, two once-illustrious names in Vietnamese professional football have been "revived." In 2023, Hanoi Police FC set a record by achieving two promotions in two years, simultaneously winning the V-League title. Since then, the team has received significant investment, becoming a new force in the domestic league.
Before the 2025-2026 season, Ho Chi Minh City FC was transferred and renamed Ho Chi Minh City Police FC. The team, based at Thong Nhat Stadium, adopted a new name but saw little change in personnel. The coaching staff retained legendary figures from the past, including head coach Le Huynh Duc and assistants Phung Thanh Phuong, Hoang Hung, and Chau Tri Cuong.
Currently, the police derby is no longer as intense as it used to be. However, having experienced dramatic clashes at both Hang Day and Thong Nhat stadiums, legend Le Huynh Duc is expected to help his players at Ho Chi Minh City Police Club deliver a highly anticipated encounter against Hanoi Police.
At 6 PM on the same day, Nam Dinh FC will host Da Nang FC at Thien Truong Stadium (FPT Play). This is an opportunity for the reigning V-League champions to secure a victory after replacing their head coach.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/v-league-hap-dan-tran-derby-nganh-cong-an-196251026214814571.htm
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