Hot Vietnamese football news today June 1: U19 Vietnam determined to beat Timor-Leste; Coach Kewell criticizes HAGL

Today's top Vietnamese football stories (June 1): U19 Vietnam eyes victory over Timor-Leste; HLV Kewell blasts HAGL.

U19 Vietnam is set on defeating Timor-Leste

At 4:00 PM today, the U19 Vietnam team will play their first match in Group A of the 2026 ASEAN U19 Championship.

In Group A, U19 Vietnam is grouped with hosts Indonesia, Myanmar, and Timor-Leste. Among these, the clash between U19 Vietnam and U19 Indonesia is considered by experts and fans alike as the most anticipated match of the group.

Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi stated that the U19 Vietnam team is not focusing on any particular opponent but will approach the tournament with the highest spirit in every match.

"As I have shared, U19 Vietnam will give their all in each game. The match against Indonesia is no different.

We are very pleased that the young players have the opportunity to compete in this tournament. U19 Vietnam will do their best and treat every match as a final."

U19 Vietnam aims to collect a full six points from Timor-Leste and Myanmar in the first two matches before facing the toughest challenge against U19 Indonesia.

Coach Kewell criticizes HAGL

Hanoi FC lost 1-3 to HAGL after leading, dropping to fourth place in the standings after round 25 of the V-League.

Coach Harry Kewell said in the post-match press conference: "I congratulate HAGL on their good result. They played a style that isn't exactly football, but I still congratulate them.

I regret that Hanoi FC couldn't take advantage of simple chances to finish the game. HAGL had three opportunities and converted all three.

I hope we won't face a Malaysian referee again, and I hope to be officiated by a Vietnamese referee. I apologize to the Hanoi fans who traveled a long distance to support us. I wish them a safe trip back."

Coach Le Quang Trai refuted his colleague's comments about HAGL's playing style: "HAGL uses players they trained themselves and gives opportunities to many young players, so naturally they have to choose a style that suits the squad's quality. As for Hanoi FC, they have very good player quality—that's undisputed. They invest to compete for the championship."

National team player Doan Ngoc Tan leaves Thanh Hoa FC

Midfielder Doan Ngoc Tan has parted ways with Thanh Hoa FC after the team successfully avoided relegation in the 2025/26 V-League season.

Doan Ngoc Tan was born in 1994 in Hanoi. He played for Haiphong FC from 2015 to 2021 before joining Thanh Hoa FC in the 2021 season.

In the 2025/26 V-League season, Doan Ngoc Tan made 17 appearances, 16 of which were starts. He suffered a fibula fracture injury in April 2025.

Doan Ngoc Tan was called up by coach Kim Sang-sik to the Vietnam national team for the 2024 AFF Cup and won the championship with the team.

Doan Ngoc Tan is the latest player to leave Thanh Hoa FC, a club currently facing financial difficulties.

The midfielder's next destination is likely to be The Cong Viettel.

CAHN FC equals V-League record

CAHN FC lifted the 2025/26 V-League trophy at Hang Day Stadium after defeating Becamex Binh Duong 2-1 in round 25.

CAHN had already secured the title after round 23 but had to wait until the match against Becamex Binh Duong to lift the cup at their home ground, Hang Day.

After 25 rounds, the trio of Dinh Bac, Alan, and Artur scored 36 goals for CAHN, accounting for 62% of the team's total goals.

This victory also made CAHN the second club in V-League history to reach 20 wins and 64 points in a single season, following Hanoi FC in 2018.

Coach Alexandre Polking's team still has a chance to break the record when they face The Cong Viettel in the final round on June 7.

This is the sixth V-League championship in Nguyen Quang Hai's career. Previously, the midfielder won four titles with Hanoi FC in 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2022.

This achievement helps Quang Hai equal the record set by his former Hanoi FC teammates Tran Van Kien (Nam Dinh) and Pham Duc Huy (CAHN), who also have six V-League titles in their careers.