The race for the top 3 in V-League is heating up.

While Hanoi FC narrowed the gap to just 1 point, the opponent's "pointing out the Achilles' heel" comments could become reverse motivation for Ninh Binh, making the top 3 race even more intense.

The victory at Ninh Binh was a strong affirmation of Hanoi FC's position in the top 3 race. However, instead of just focusing on technical aspects, the biggest aftermath came from Van Quyet's statement.

The captainof Hanoi FCstated that Ninh Binh's long-ball playing style "is not football" and even asserted that "even having three Hoang Duc would be the same."

In football, a captain's confidence is necessary. However, the line between confidence and controversial remarks is very thin.Van Quyet, with his leadership position and extensive experience, certainly understands the weight of his words.

Therefore, this statement is not merely a technical comment but could also be seen as "belittling" the opponent.

It should be noted that Ninh Binh's captain Hoang Duc is not in the best physical condition and has not been playing as a starter recently. His absence or not being at 100% form clearly affects the operational style of the ancient capital's team.

When the midfield lacks its conductor, it's understandable, even situational, that Ninh Binh had to use long balls more frequently. Nevertheless, how Hanoi FC exploited those limitations demonstrated the class of a bigger team.

Coach Kewell's squad read the match better, controlled the game, and punished the opponent's mistakes. But football doesn't only happen on the field; it continues after the final whistle, in press conferences, on media, and in the opponent's psychology.

Van Quyet's statement, whether unintentional or deliberate, could become a "fire starter" for Ninh Binh in the remaining journey. A rookie team, already doubted for its mettle, has even more reason to prove its worth. Young players like Van Thuan, Quoc Viet, or Thanh Trung, who already play with full effort, could definitely take that as motivation to explode even more powerfully.

On the flip side,Hanoi FCalso needs to be cautious. Van Quyet and his teammates are returning to the race with good form and increasing cohesion. But that same confidence, if pushed too far, could become a double-edged sword. The remaining opponents will certainly look at Van Quyet's statement as a "reason" to play with over 100% determination whenever facing the Capital's team.

In a long-distance race, psychological factors always play a key role. Hanoi FC has advantages in tradition, experience, and courage.

But Ninh Binh has the desire to prove itself. The gap of just 1 point makes everything fragile, and even a small detail can create a chain reaction.

At this moment, Van Quyet's statement places Hanoi FC in the position of a club that is both a challenger and a target that opponents want to defeat.