Kewell holds late press conference after Hanoi FC's shocking 1-4 defeat: 'We lost our system'

Hanoi FC just experienced a nightmare evening on their home turf. The 1-4 defeat to SLNA was not only the heaviest loss under coach Harry Kewell but also pushed the capital club to the bottom of the V-League 2026-2027 table after Round 2. More notably, the Australian strategist arrived at the press conference 25 minutes late, leaving a brief but suggestive statement before departing in silence. "We lost our system," Kewell admitted. This statement is not a mere explanation. It reveals a structural and psychological collapse of the whole team, something I have observed throughout Hanoi FC's recent matches. When a big club like Hanoi FC falls into this state immediately after conceding a goal, it is not a matter of luck but a serious tactical flaw that needs to be addressed frankly. SLNA entered the match with a clear and effective plan. They deliberately ceded territorial pressure, dropped deep after scoring, slowed the tempo, and waited for counterattacking opportunities. This is a classic tactic but executed with discipline and calculation. Early in the match, Hanoi FC created several chances, particularly through new signing Adam Taggart. However, when SLNA scored in the 35th minute, everything began to unravel. Hanoi FC pushed forward in search of an equalizer but exposed fatal gaps in their defense, and SLNA punished them three more times. More worrying was the ineffectiveness of the attacking duo Do Hoang Hen and Nguyen Hai Long. SLNA's coach, Van Sy Son, confirmed they had a specific plan to force these two players wide and stop them from cutting inside. This shows that Hanoi FC lacks an alternative attacking route when their creative core is man-marked or channeled. This is a tactical blind spot that other teams will quickly learn from SLNA. Looking back at history, last season's slow start with two draws and two losses cost coach Makoto Teguramori his job. Now, with two consecutive losses, 2 goals scored and 7 conceded, Hanoi FC faces the prospect of history repeating itself. Kewell is under immense pressure, and his late arrival at the press conference could be seen as a sign of internal tension. Another issue to consider is the fitness of players returning from the national team after the ASEAN Cup 2026. Kewell hinted that he may have demanded too much from them. "Maybe I need to give them more rest," he said. This could be an excuse, but it is also a signal that the coaching staff is reviewing their physical training regimen. Fatigue from national-team returnees may have reduced Hanoi FC's pressing intensity and recovery speed in the second half, making them particularly vulnerable to counterattacks. I have followed many Hanoi FC matches and I notice that the problem is not just the defense. The over-reliance on a small group of creative players has made the team predictable. When Do Hoang Hen and Nguyen Hai Long are neutralized, Hanoi FC has no clear Plan B. They need another player capable of breaking through, or a more varied attacking tactic, especially in set-piece situations. The lesson from this match is clear: Hanoi FC cannot continue to collapse mentally after conceding a goal. Kewell must design a specific response when his team falls behind. Otherwise, the pressure will mount, and the story of "Kewell about to lose his job" will no longer be just a rumor on forums. The next match will be a do-or-die test. If Hanoi FC lose again, the Teguramori script will become reality. I believe that instead of panicking, the leadership should look at the process and fitness data, not just the result of one match. But in the world of football, patience is always a luxury. And Hanoi FC is spending it very quickly.