Coach Kewell holds late press conference after Hanoi FC's shocking defeat

Hang Day Stadium witnessed a dark afternoon for Hanoi FC on Sunday. The match was only in the 35th minute when the score was already 0-1 for the away team SLNA. The Nghe An team played disciplined defensive counter-attacking football, and they punished the home team's mistakes three more times after that. The final score was 1-4, a shock to everyone, including coach Harry Kewell, who arrived at the post-match press conference 25 minutes late. When he entered the press room, the Australian strategist's face still showed tension. He did not avoid any questions, but he also did not reveal anything about the speech reportedly 'very strong' in the dressing room. 'That's internal team business,' Kewell said, and immediately, that silence fueled speculation about a looming crisis. The truth is that Hanoi FC are at the bottom of the V-League 2026-2027 standings after two rounds with 0 points and a goal difference of -5. This is the worst start for the capital team in many years. Last season, also with a slow start, coach Makoto Teguramori had to leave. History is repeating itself before Harry Kewell's eyes. But more worrying than the score is the way the team collapsed. Kewell admitted: 'We lost our system.' A statement showing the problem is not just about fitness or luck, but a structural and psychological breakdown. The context of this match is special. Hanoi FC just went through the 2026 ASEAN Cup with many key players returning in an overloaded state. Coach Kewell also hinted at this when talking about 'maybe needing to give them more rest.' Meanwhile, SLNA came to Hang Day with a clear plan and high fighting spirit. They accepted to concede territory, dropped deep, and waited for counter-attacking opportunities. That was a puzzle Hanoi FC could not solve. The only bright spot for the home team was new signing Adam Taggart. The Australian striker had some good chances in the first half but could not convert them into goals. When his team fell behind, everything became hopeless. The main strikers Do Hoang Hen and Nguyen Hai Long were completely neutralized. SLNA's coach, Van Sy Son, confirmed they had a specific plan: 'We forced them wide, didn't let them cut inside.' Tactical analysis of this match shows a clear contrast. SLNA played effective defensive counter-attacking football, not flashy but solid. They didn't mind conceding possession, even having less of the ball, to then launch lethal strikes. Hanoi FC, on the other hand, had more possession but lacked the patience and the plan to approach the opponent's goal when facing a packed defense. Pushing their formation high after conceding only exposed deadly gaps behind them. This is a worrying signal for coach Kewell. If he doesn't soon find a solution to the low-block problem, and more importantly, solve the psychological issue when conceding, his seat will become increasingly precarious. The next match will be a life-or-death test. If they lose again, the pressure will become a real storm. For SLNA, this victory is a strong statement. With 6 absolute points after two rounds, they are leading the top group alongside Ninh Binh. Their style is based on 'the strength of youth and the spirit of veterans,' a formula that may not be flashy but is extremely effective at this time. They have shown that a team doesn't need to spend too much money to compete fairly if they have the right tactics and discipline. As for Hanoi FC, this is not just a defeat. This is a wake-up call about the fragility of the team. The story of a 'big status' is being fiercely challenged. Will they have enough courage to overcome it or will they continue to sink deeper into crisis? Only time and the next matches will tell. On the data side, we don't have enough information on xG, PPDA, or pressing numbers for both teams. But even without detailed figures, the on-field performance spoke volumes. SLNA showed a clear game plan and effectiveness in execution. Hanoi FC showed an inability to adapt and a puzzling mental fragility.