V-League 2023: Hanoi Police Club lifts the championship trophy
The 1-1 draw against Thanh Hoa was enough for the Hanoi Police Club to be crowned the V.League 2023. Thus, after 20 years, the V.League saw a newly promoted team immediately win the championship.
Hanoi Police Club has many advantages in the race for the championship with Hanoi FC. Being 2 points ahead of the opponent and 6 goals apart helps the police team calmly enter the final match of the season against Thanh Hoa. Even in the context that Hanoi FC continuously scored against Viettel in the match at the same time at My Dinh Stadium, Quang Hai and his teammates also advocated to play slowly and surely.
On the other hand, Thanh Hoa implemented a tactic to “sleep” the Hanoi Police Club with short passes, before making a counter-attack by passing the line. It showed after 9 minutes. From a quick attack on the right, teammates put the ball inside for Lam Ti Phong. Unfortunately, Khanh Hoa’s player came in a bit slow, leading to missed opportunities in front of goal.
In the 40th minute, it was Lam Ti Phong who entered the penalty area in an unaccompanied position. This player had a pretty good shot. Unfortunately for Thanh Hoa, goalkeeper Filip Nguyen bravely saved the ball with his face, saving the Hanoi Police Club a conspicuous goal.
In the context that the Hanoi Police Club did not show many offensive lines in the first half, they suddenly scored again in the 42nd minute. From the pass on the right wing of Quang Hai, foreign soldier Gustavo headed close to the goal and hit the net of Thanh Hoa.
After the first half, the situation of the king was tilted in favor of the Hanoi Police Club, after leading 1-0 Thanh Hoa. In the match at the same time, Hanoi FC was shortened by Viettel to 1-2.
Before that great advantage, the Hanoi Police Club continued to return with a slow tactic, probably at the beginning of the first half. But it was this that caused them to concede a goal in the 62nd minute. Receiving the ball from teammates, Bruno Cunha in close to the penalty area to hit a dangerous sinking shot. The ball hit the net in the helplessness of goalkeeper Filip Nguyen.
Of course, this result plus the fact that Hanoi FC must score 5 more goals against Viettel is enough to help Hanoi Police still have a chance to win the championship. However, the police team also avoids the scene of “a long night with many dreams”. At the later stage of the match, Quang Hai and his teammates began to push up the squad in search of a goal to increase the gap. However, in a day of ungainly competition, Quang Hai missed up to 2 opportunities that could be converted into goals.
The 1-1 draw against Thanh Hoa plus Hanoi FC only winning close to Viettel is still enough to help Hanoi Police take the championship. This team has the same 38 points as Hanoi FC but is much better in goal difference.
20 years ago, HAGL won the V.League right after being promoted. And after 20 years, another team has re-established the achievement. It’s the Hanoi Police Club.
