Coach Kewell: ' Hanoi FC has a chance, but football is about scoring goals'
Hanoi FC could not win in coach Harry Kewell's debut match, losing 1-2 to Ninh Binh at home in round 7 of V-League 2025 - 2026.
Despite controlling the ball slightly better (56%) and shooting nearly three times as many times (15 compared to 6), the capital representative still lost because they could not take advantage of the opportunities.
Hai Long and his teammates hit the crossbar and post 3 times, and were unable to beat goalkeeper Van Lam in favorable situations.
Ninh Binh Club firmly on top
PHOTO: MINH TU
Coach Harry Kewell shared: "This was a difficult match. We did well in many aspects, creating quite a few chances. But football is about goals and unfortunately, today we did not score. When you do not score, you will pay the price, and we lost. Although, Hanoi FC should have played well enough to win this match."
The former Liverpool striker also highly appreciated Do Hoang Hen’s debut. The midfielder born in 1994 helped Hanoi FC play more smoothly with his left-footed movements.
"Hoang Hen played very well. Overall, I cannot blame my players. They played in the right spirit and the right way that we aim for. They tried to play with dedication, even though today it did not bring the desired results. I think they are all very eager and trying very hard.
"Today we played some good football, but unfortunately we conceded two goals from set pieces. That's what cost us. When we get back to training, we'll have to work even harder," said coach Harry Kewell.
Coach Kewell does not blame his students
PHOTO: MINH TU
The Australian strategist added: "One of the important things is that Hanoi FC must improve their defensive ability, especially in set pieces. We need to learn to react better, to be more focused in important moments.
Ninh Binh FC are a very direct team with great strikers. They only needed two chances from set pieces and they took them all. That shows they are very efficient. We have to learn to react quicker and control the game better against teams that play like that.
Overall, I think we didn’t play badly. Ninh Binh FC didn’t really create too many chances apart from two set pieces. I’m pleased because the players showed the spirit and will that I wanted. Defeat always hurts, but that’s football. We have to go back to the training ground, work harder and keep improving.
We will try to perform better in the upcoming matches. We have to be more careful, especially at decisive moments. Every match is an opportunity to improve, and I believe the team will soon show its true potential."
Coach Albadalejo praised Hoang Duc
"First of all, I would like to send special congratulations to Hoang Duc. Today he showed an extraordinary fighting spirit, almost "alien".
Despite being injured, Hoang Duc still played the field, wanting to help his teammates. He is a great example of leadership and responsibility. The whole team is very happy and proud of him," Coach Gerald Albadalejo shared about his student after Ninh Binh Club's victory.
Hoang Duc (red and black shirt) assisted Dos Anjos to score
PHOTO: MINH TU
The Spanish strategist added: "We knew this would be a very difficult match, especially when we were not in the best physical condition. Hanoi FC can completely make any opponent falter. But if you want to win here, you have to endure, you have to persevere to the end. We did that and deserved the 3 points."
According to Mr. Albadalejo, the ball touched the hand of a home player before reaching Xuan Tu's feet, allowing Hanoi FC to score a goal to shorten the score. He reacted strongly to the fourth referee, but after listening to advice from VAR, main referee Ngo Duy Lan recognized the goal for Hanoi.
"Hanoi's goal came from a very clear handball situation, right in front of our eyes. The main referee might not have seen it because he was standing far away, but the assistant was very close, and it's hard to understand why he didn't raise his flag. In addition, there were a few other situations that I personally think should have been decided differently. I was angry because that moment was very important for the game's outcome.
"I understand that the referee may have limited vision, but the assistants are in a very good position. I don't want to criticize, but there were decisions that we felt were unfair. However, the important thing is that the team remained focused and won," concluded Mr. Albadalejo.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hlv-kewell-dau-xot-ha-noi-phai-tra-gia-dat-hlv-ninh-binh-hoang-duc-hay-nhu-nguoi-ngoai-hanh-tinh-185251018215631937.htm
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