V.League 1-2025/2026: Top-ranked Hanoi Police widen the gap

In the lower group, Hoang Anh Gia Lai Club added a valuable point after drawing with Hai Phong Club, temporarily increasing their distance in the tense relegation battle.

At the top, Hanoi Police Club defeated Song Lam Nghe An, further widening the gap with the trailing team, Viettel.

The first two matches of round 20 took place on April 24. Hanoi Club was on an impressive streak before their away trip to Ninh Binh Club. Following a 0-1 loss to Hai Phong Club in round 17, coach Harry Kewell's team established a winning streak (round 18: beat Hong Linh Ha Tinh 3-0, round 19: beat Becamex Ho Chi Minh City 4-2), thereby nearing the top 3 and opening up opportunities to compete with other rivals.

The confidence and quality players of both teams created an exciting match that remained tense until the final minute. Hanoi Club opened the scoring thanks to Hung Dung in the 3rd minute. During stoppage time in the first half, Anh Tiep increased the score to 2-0 for the visitors. However, Geovane from the host side Ninh Binh narrowed the score to 1-2 shortly after, reigniting hope in the second half. Moving into the second half, Van Quyet raised the score to 3-1 in the 58th minute. By the 61st minute, Quoc Viet scored to seal a 2-3 victory for the Capital team. In the remaining time, the hosts generated significant pressure and opportunities but could not score further, accepting a 2-3 defeat. After this win, coach Harry Kewell's team closed in on the 3rd position with only a 1-point gap (36 vs. 37 points).

In the lower group, Hoang Anh Gia Lai Club drew 0-0 with the visiting team Hai Phong. Adding 1 point, the Pleiku mountain town team reached 19 points, temporarily increasing the distance from the chasing opponents behind. In the relegation race, each round is tense and fierce.

The next two matches of round 20 occurred on April 25. Dong A Thanh Hoa Club secured a crucial 1-0 victory over PVF-CAND Club at home, creating a turning point in the relegation battle. The sole goal was scored in the 62nd minute by Ngoc My, helping Thanh Hoa temporarily rise to the 10th position on the rankings.

Also at home, Becamex Ho Chi Minh City Club drew 1-1 with Blue Steel Nam Dinh Club. The home team opened the scoring very early thanks to Viet Cuong in the 3rd minute. The visiting team equalized in the 67th minute with a goal by Giap Tuong Duong. The earned point helped the home team increase the distance from the bottom two positions. Meanwhile, Blue Steel Nam Dinh missed the chance to enter the top 5 by only securing 1 point.

The remaining three matches of round 20 took place on April 26. At home, Hong Linh Ha Tinh Club lost 0-1 to Ho Chi Minh City Police Club. The match's only goal was scored by Lee Williams in the 12th minute, helping the visitors maintain the 5th position on the rankings with 29 points after 20 rounds.

The second-placed team, Viettel, unexpectedly shared points after a 3-3 draw on the field of SHB Da Nang, a team in the lower group. This result significantly impacted the championship race for the Military team. For SHB Da Nang, the earned point helped them temporarily surpass PVF-CAND (14th place) to climb to the 13th position as the season only has 6 rounds left.

The final match of round 20 between Hanoi Police Club and Song Lam Nghe An ended with a 4-2 victory favoring the home team. With home advantage and impressive form, coach Mano Polking's squad faced little difficulty in securing all 3 points. This win helped Hanoi Police continue to lead the rankings, simultaneously widening the gap to 9 points compared to the second-placed team, Viettel.

Matches of round 21 of V.League 1-2025/2026 will take place from May 1-3.