Hanoi Police - Ninh Binh: A Measure of the Championship Contenders' Resolve

This is also regarded as the "early final" of the season. This clash allows Hanoi Police and Ninh Binh to demonstrate their strength in the title race. Both teams remain unbeaten and hold a comfortable points gap over their pursuers. The match at Hang Day Stadium will likely decide the first half-season champion.

The match is crucial in shaping the turning point of the championship battle later this season. Hanoi Police currently ranks second, trailing Ninh Binh by a single point (26 vs. 27), but having played one less match. Both teams have been unbeaten since the start of this V-League season, each with 8 wins.

Ninh Binh has emerged as an intriguing phenomenon in the league with impressive form and a sharp, well-organized style of play.

Ninh Binh’s spine, featuring Van Lam, Duc Chien, Hoang Duc, Thanh Thinh… played like "wings on a tiger" in the First Division, strengthened by many new signings this season, notably the foreign quartet Dos Anjos, Gustavo Henrique, Geovane Magno, and Janclesio. Coach Gerard Albadalejo’s team also added national player Tien Anh to bolster the right flank alongside the U23 trio Van Thuan, Ngoc My, and Thai Son, blending youthful energy with experience.

As a newcomer, Ninh Binh boasts a record unbeaten streak dating back from the 2024 - 2025 First Division. After 11 rounds in the V-League, they currently top the standings.

After a brilliant start, Ninh Binh has begun to feel the intense pressure of the top-tier V-League. In the last two rounds, Coach Gerard Albadalejo’s team struggled to secure victories, scoring late goals against SLNA and Ho Chi Minh City Police FC. These wins came more from star moments than the modern pressing tactics they displayed earlier in the season.

In this match, the ancient capital team will face their direct rival for first place, Hanoi Police. Coach Alexandre Polking’s squad is a well-coordinated unit with many stars who have played together for a long time, employing a controlled, varied attacking style that is methodically built and clearly defined.

Leading the table, Ninh Binh has played one more match than the police team. Therefore, to solidify their top spot, Ninh Binh must win this direct confrontation.

Hanoi Police currently holds 26 points from 11 matches. They still have one game in hand and can overtake Ninh Binh if they win that make-up match.

Coach Alexandre Polking commands a squad of individual quality comparable to Ninh Binh’s, but with greater tactical flexibility due to over two seasons of cohesion. His philosophy of control and ball circulation through quick, intricate passing patterns is deeply ingrained in Hanoi Police’s play. This refined style helped them win the National Cup and finish runner-up in last season’s ASEAN Club Championship.

This success also serves as an important foundation for Coach Mano Polking’s team to maintain their title challenge, especially given the congested schedule ahead.

The game features a clash between two of the league’s top three attacking teams so far. Ninh Binh leads with the most goals scored (26), while Hanoi Police has conceded the fewest goals (only 6).

The match draws even more attention as it gathers key pillars of the U23 national team.

For Hanoi Police, their main hope is Nguyen Dinh Bac, who recently won the top scorer award at the U23 Asian Championship in Saudi Arabia. This personal accolade not only confirms Dinh Bac’s remarkable development but also creates a "hot spot" in the battle against Ninh Binh.

Additionally, the mobility of Minh Phuc and Ly Duc will be important weapons for Coach Alexandre Polking to secure 3 points and seize the top spot.

On Ninh Binh’s side, they also have a powerful midfield featuring U23 players Thai Son and Van Thuan, along with the young striker duo Quoc Viet and Le Phat.

The direct duel between Dinh Bac’s breakthrough ability and Thai Son’s interception skills in midfield promises to decide the outcome of this match.

The match also features a showdown between two of Vietnam’s top goalkeepers, Dang Van Lam and Nguyen Filip. Their form could be the key to the result. The winner will not only gain a major advantage for the first half-season title but also send a strong message for the entire season.

Hanoi Police is slightly favored due to home advantage at Hang Day Stadium, extensive experience in major tournaments, and the resilience of a former champion. However, Hang Day has recently been a lucky ground for Ninh Binh, who won both of their last two visits to the capital.

The match also pits two of the best foreign coaches in the current V-League, Alexandre Polking and Gerard Albadalejo, against each other. However, Polking is suspended from direct coaching due to accumulating three yellow cards, putting Hanoi Police at a disadvantage.

Besides the coaching setback, the home team’s star players face psychological challenges. The team was recently eliminated early in the ASEAN Club Championship group stage after a 0-2 loss to Selangor. This is a clear warning for Hanoi Police’s lofty ambitions this season. The fragility in the long race has emerged, forcing them to concentrate fully on remaining competitions. The pressure to quickly regain form and reclaim the top spot from Ninh Binh weighs heavily on the players.

The match between league leaders Ninh Binh and runners-up Hanoi Police will kick off at 7:15 PM on February 1. It is expected to be a tense, tactical battle potentially decided by moments of individual brilliance, fitting the status of the top two title contenders in the V-League.

Round 12 Schedule

January 30

6 PM: Hong Linh Ha Tinh vs. Becamex Ho Chi Minh City

January 31

6 PM: Hai Phong vs. Viettel Army Team

6 PM: Song Lam Nghe An vs. Hanoi FC

February 1

5 PM: Hoang Anh Gia Lai vs. SHB Da Nang

6 PM: Dong A Thanh Hoa vs. Thep Xanh Nam Dinh

6 PM: PVF-CAND vs. Ho Chi Minh City Police FC

7:15 PM: Hanoi Police vs. Ninh Binh