CAHN beats Hà Tĩnh 2-0 in V-League opener: Victory of bravery or luck?

The final whistle sounded like a relief for Công An Hà Nội (CAHN). They left Hàng Đẫy Stadium with three points thanks to a 2-0 win over Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh, but the actual performance did not reflect the scoreline. The V-League 2026-2027 opener raised many questions about the ambitions of the police club. In the 5th minute, Hàng Đẫy exploded. From an innocuous ball on the right flank, Hà Tĩnh goalkeeper Luiz Antonio made a serious mistake by failing to catch the ball, allowing a CAHN player to easily tap it into an empty net. It could have been a perfect start to an easy match, but the reality was completely different. Hà Tĩnh started with a determined high press. They made CAHN lose control in midfield, constantly intercepting the home team's short passes. Hà Tĩnh's midfielders moved tirelessly, ready to press whenever CAHN had the ball. As a result, CAHN had to resort to long balls, most of which were handled by Hà Tĩnh's defense. Pressure mounted, and in the 37th minute, Hà Tĩnh thought they had equalized. A quick one-touch combination around CAHN's box resulted in a goal, but the referee immediately consulted VAR. After reviewing the footage, the referee determined that a Hà Tĩnh player was in an offside position before the ball was played. The decision was controversial, as some camera angles showed a CAHN defender still behind the player. Nevertheless, the referee stood by the call, leaving Hà Tĩnh devastated. After the disallowed goal, Hà Tĩnh continued to push forward but lacked composure in decisive moments. They had at least three clear chances, including a one-on-one with the goalkeeper that went over the bar. Leo Artur and Nguyễn Đình Bắc, the most anticipated players, both wasted opportunities. The strikers' eagerness led to poor efficiency. Praise CAHN's spirit? The home team did not play better, but they showed class in seizing moments. In the 5th minute, they punished the goalkeeper's mistake. In the 83rd minute, when Hà Tĩnh was pushing for an equalizer, CAHN launched a lightning counter-attack. The ball was moved from their own half to the left flank, crossed into the box, and Alan Grafite with a one-touch finish sent the ball into the far corner, beating the Hà Tĩnh goalkeeper. The score was set at 2-0, and CAHN maintained their winning streak. Captain Bùi Hoàng Việt Anh, who played with great responsibility, said after the match: "Hà Tĩnh caused us a lot of difficulties. They pressed well and created chances. We were lucky but also knew how to score at important moments. An opening match is never easy, and we need to improve a lot." His statement somewhat showed the players' humility, but also indirectly admitted that the team did not have a convincing performance. Looking at the entire match, CAHN's victory was a combination of killer instinct and a bit of luck. Importantly, Hà Tĩnh proved they are not an easy opponent. If a mid-table team can cause such difficulties, how will CAHN fare against tougher opponents like Thể Công or Nam Định later? Hà Tĩnh's pressing exposed a critical weakness in CAHN's build-up play. The home side's defenders often looked confused under pressure, and only individual defensive brilliance kept them from conceding. CAHN's counter-attacking weapon is formidable. But if they continually rely on opponents' errors to score, that is a major issue in the long run. Additionally, a congested schedule awaits CAHN's head coach. Just five days after this match, they face Thể Công away in round 2. After that, they travel to Japan for the AFC Champions League Elite group stage, where the opponents are very strong. Balancing domestic and continental competitions will be a tough puzzle for the manager. Moreover, after the match against Đồng Nai on September 20, several key players will join the national team, adding to the physical burden. In the balance, CAHN has a squad with depth. Alan Grafite proved his sharpness, while Bùi Hoàng Việt Anh remains a solid anchor in defense. But football is not only decided by moments. This victory should be seen as a warning rather than a statement. If CAHN can maintain focus for the full 90 minutes, the champions can think about bigger matches. If they continue to play with varying intensity as they did against Hà Tĩnh, the dream of defending the title may soon turn into a nightmare. Hà Tĩnh left Hàng Đẫy with a 2-0 loss, but they received applause from their away fans. They played fearless football, pressing hard until the final whistle. If they maintain this form, Hà Tĩnh is capable of staying up and even securing a mid-table finish. The V-League opener reflected the league's ruthless nature: victory is not always the reward for the better team, but for the team that punishes opponents at the right moments. CAHN has reason to smile when looking at the standings. But that satisfaction may not last long. The match against Thể Công in round 2 will be their first real test. If they still play like they did against Hà Tĩnh, CAHN may pay the price. If they find solidity in their style, they remain a top contender for the title. The journey is still very long, but the opening match has shown that the defending champions still have a lot of work to do.