Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC
Vietnamese football club in Pleiku
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hoang Anh Gia Lai Football Club (Vietnamese: Câu lạc bộ Bóng đá Hoàng Anh Gia Lai), commonly known as Hoang Anh Gia Lai and simply known as HAGL, is a Vietnamese professional football club based in Pleiku, Gia Lai. Owned by Đoàn Nguyên Đức, a Vietnamese businessman and founder of Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group, HAGL play in the top division of Vietnamese football, V.League 1. Their home stadium is Pleiku Stadium.[2]
1991 as Gia Lai Football Team
2003 as Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC
2 November 2023 as LPBank-Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC
31 July 2024 as Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC
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| Full name | Hoang Anh Gia Lai Football Club | |||
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| Nickname | Đội bóng Phố Núi[1] (The Highlanders) | |||
| Short name | HAGL | |||
| Founded | 1976 as Gia Lai-Kon Tum FC 1991 as Gia Lai Football Team 2003 as Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC 2 November 2023 as LPBank-Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC 31 July 2024 as Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC | |||
| Ground | Pleiku Stadium | |||
| Capacity | 12,000 | |||
| Owner | Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group | |||
| Chairman | Đoàn Nguyên Đức | |||
| Head coach | Lê Quang Trãi | |||
| League | V.League 1 | |||
| 2024–25 | V.League 1, 9th of 14 | |||
| Website | haglfc | |||
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History
Early years
The forerunner of the club is Gia Lai - Kon Tum football team, founded in November 1975 and first compete in regional championship in the early of 1976.[3] Despite being an amateur team, the team also once won the A2 championship (equivalent to the A2 championship) including South Central and Central Highlands.[4] In 1991, the province Gia Lai - Kon Tum was separated into Gia Lai and Kon Tum. As the result, the team was split into the Gia Lai football team and Kon Tum football team. Some players of the former Gia Lai - Kon Tum team returned to be the core of the new Gia Lai team.[citation needed]
Hoang Anh Gia Lai era
For 10 years, the team was organized with the model of a career unit with an average performance in the First Division and not very well known on the football map of Vietnam. In 2001, the team was transformed into a semi-professional model under the sponsorship of Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group.[5] Before the football season V.League 2 2001–2002, the club's chairman Đoàn Nguyên Đức signed a contract with the captain of Thailand national football team at that time, Kiatisuk Senamuang.[6] In the Thai press ran big "headline" "Who is Hoang Anh? Where is Gia Lai" full of ridicule, and the media in Vietnam also have many doubts about the ability to attract a high-class player like Kiatisuk to Gia Lai. However, all rumors ended on February 17, 2002, when Kiatisuk and teammate defender Chukiat Noosarung came to Vietnam to prepare to play for the team. This is considered one of the most successful contracts of Vietnamese football. Kiatisuk helped Hoang Anh Gia Lai's team to be promoted right in that season. At the end of the season, the team was officially transferred to Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group for management, changed its name to Hoang Anh Gia Lai Football Club, becoming one of the first professional football club in Vietnam. The club made a record of winning the 2003 V-League championship after having just been promoted and successfully defended its title the following season. At the same time, the team also won two Vietnamese Super Cup in those years.
In the years that followed, the club built a team that was nicknamed "Dream Team" by Vietnamese fans, after Thai players like Dusit Chalermsan arrived to the team.[7]
But the most successful period of this period of the club was 2007, when Hoang Anh Gia Lai succeeded in signing an agreement with the English football club Arsenal to open a football academy in Pleiku.[8] Hoang Anh Gia Lai is also Arsenal's main partner in business in Southeast Asia. After two years, the development of the academy's first generation of players is considered very promising.[9]
In the 2010 season, Hoang Anh Gia Lai club had a change in its team development plan when using many young players trained by themselves, instead of massively shopping like in previous seasons. At the same time, the club's legend, the former Thai striker,Kiatisuk Senamuang was invited by the club's president Doan Nguyen Duc to lead the team.[10] The club has had a good momentum ahead of the new season when winning the Ho Chi Minh City football championship. Ho Chi Minh Open - Navibank Cup 2010. However, the performance at the national championship has not improved much when at the end of the season 2010 V-League, Hoang Anh Gia Lai only ranked 7th and runner up in the Vietnamese National Cup.
The 2011 season was a season where the performance of the whole team was very erratic. Although coach Dusit left the coaching chair after the first leg and was replaced by coach Huynh Van Anh, the team's performance not only did not improve but also showed signs of going down. At the end of 2011 V-League, Hoang Anh Gia Lai ranked 9th, this is the worst performance since the club came to play in V-League.
In the 2012 season, Hoang Anh Gia Lai made a revolution in the coaching chair, when the club's board decided to invite Korean coach Choi Yoon Gyum to lead the team.[12] The Korean coach has improved the player's fitness and professionalism. 5th place at the end of the season is still considered a good achievement for Mr. Choi Yoon-Gyum and the players.
From June 30, 2017, the entire cooperation between Arsenal and Hoang Anh Gia Lai ends. HAGL Academy – Arsenal JMG also changed its name to HAGL-JMG Academy.[13]
In the 2021 V.League 1, Kiatisuk Senamuang were invited back to lead by the team's leadership. The club started V.League 1 not very well when they lost 1–0 to Saigon with a score of 1–0. This loss opened the team's 11-match unbeaten streak (won 9, drew 2) and helped the team reach the top 6 teams, before the 2021 season had to be stopped and then canceled because the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam.
The team proactively prepared their squad by adding fitness assistant Witoon Mingkwan.[14] Foreign players Washington Brandão and Kim Dong-su had their contracts extended.[15] Brazilian midfielder Mauricio Barbosa was signed to replace Damir Memović.[16] The team also added striker Jefferson Baiano to bolster their attacking power.[17]
After a 17-year absence, Hoang Anh Gia Lai returned to the AFC Champions League - the highest club tournament in Asia (as the leading team of V.League 1 - 2021).[18][19] The team finished the group stage with 5 points and third place, failing to advance to the round of 16. On 2 November 2023, due to sponsorship reasons, Hoang Anh Gia Lai Football Club changed its name to LPBank-Hoang Anh Gia Lai Football Club.[20][21][22] On 31 July 2024, the club changed their name back to Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC, removing the sponsor name from the team's name.[23]
Stadium
Pleiku Stadium is a stadium located in Pleiku City, Gia Lai Province. It is the home of Hoang Anh Gia Lai Football Club and is also one of the few stadiums in Vietnam owned by a club.[24][25]
In 2008, Pleiku Stadium was started and built new according to the model of Emirates Stadium of Arsenal,[26][27] with a total construction cost of 60 billion VND invested entirely by HAGL Group. The newly built Pleiku Stadium was put into operation since October 2010,[28][29][30][31] has a capacity of 12,000 seats and is fully equipped with seats.[32][33]
Youth academy
In the HAGL Academy, young players were trained from an early age to develop their ball controlling skills and to adopt a modern playing style. The academy placed the technical criteria as the priority while selecting players during youth trials. The Academy had produced several Vietnamese internationals such as Nguyễn Công Phượng, Nguyễn Tuấn Anh, Lương Xuân Trường, Nguyễn Văn Toàn and Vũ Văn Thanh, who managed who put up a successful career in Vietnam.[34][35]
Rivalries
Hanoi Football Club
In the 21st century, Hoang Anh Gia Lai and Hanoi are widely considered among the most supported clubs in Vietnam, and matches between the two clubs are usually dubbed the "Vietnamese Super Derby".[36][37] From 2009 to the end of 2025, the two teams met 39 times in all competitions, with Hanoi holding the advantage with 19 wins, 8 draws and 12 losses. However, the rivalry began to attract greater attention in 2018, when Vietnam U-23 finished as runners-up at the AFC U-23 Championship with many players representing these two clubs in the squad.[38] Since then, matches between Hoang Anh Gia Lai and Hanoi have become a major focus of media coverage.
Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors
| Period | Kit Manufacturer | Sponsors |
|---|---|---|
| 2003-2018 | In house | Samsung Hoang Anh Gia Lai Pleiku Hoang Anh Gia Lai Rosso Hatrick GREE HAGL-Land TOA Paint VPBank HAGL Group GrowPlus+ NutiFood |
| 2018 |  Mizuno[39] |
IQLACPRO THACO Red Bull[40] BAPI |
| 2023 | Mizuno |
Carabao Energy Drink |
| 2023–2025 |  Kamito |
Carabao Energy Drink LPBank |
| 2025– | Motive |
ThaiGroup LPBank |
Players
Current squad
- As of 18 March 2026[41]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Other players under contract
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Retired numbers
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Notable players
Domestic players
A Hoàng- Châu Ngọc Quang
- Đinh Hồng Vinh
- Đinh Thanh Bình
- Đoàn Việt Cường
- Lê Văn Sơn
- Lương Xuân Trường
- Nguyễn Công Phượng
- Nguyễn Minh Nghĩa
- Nguyễn Phong Hồng Duy
- Nguyễn Tuấn Anh
- Nguyễn Văn Đàn
- Nguyễn Văn Toàn
- Trần Minh Vương
- Triệu Việt Hưng
- Vũ Văn Thanh
- Nguyễn Hữu Đang
- Nguyễn Việt Thắng
- Phùng Văn Nhiên
- Văn Sỹ Hùng
- Võ Văn Hạnh
Foreign players
Washington Brandão- Osmar Francisco
- Evaldo Goncalves
Yaw Preko
Chevaughn Walsh- Rimario Gordon
Allan Wanga
Kim Dong-su- Kim Bong-jin
Wieger Sietsma
Bassey Akpan- Felix Ogbuke
- Olumuyiwa Aganun
Paollo Madeira
Papé Diakité
Damir Memović
Kiatisuk Senamuang- Dusit Chalermsan
- Totchtawan Sripan
- Datsakorn Thonglao
- Nirut Surasiang
- Sakda Joemdee
- Chukiat Noosarung
Mobi Fehr- Lee Nguyen
Michal Šilhavý
Coaching staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Technical director | Vũ Tiến Thành |
| Head coach | Lê Quang Trãi |
| Assistant coach | Trần Quốc Việt Vũ Anh Tuấn |
| Goalkeeper coach |  Higor Felliny Cruz |
| Match analyst | Bùi Văn Nam |
| Doctor | Đồng Xuân Lâm Trần Quốc Bách |
| Physiotherapist | Đổng Hải Nguyên Võ Tấn Dũng |
| Logistics officer | Đinh Công Khánh |
Records
Continental record
| Season | Competition | Round | Club | Home | Away | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | AFC Champions League | Group F |  PSM Makassar |
5–1 | 0–3 | 2nd out of 4 |
 Dalian Shide |
3–1 | 0–2 | ||||
 Krung Thai Bank |
0–1 | 2–2 | ||||
| 2005 | AFC Champions League | Group E |  Suwon Samsung Bluewings |
1–5 | 0–6 | 4th out of 4 |
| Júbilo Iwata |
0–1 | 0–6 | ||||
| Shenzhen Jianlibao |
0–2 | 0–5 | ||||
| 2022 | AFC Champions League | Group H | Yokohama F. Marinos |
1–2 | 0–2 | 3rd out of 4 |
 Sydney FC |
1–0 | 1–1 | ||||
| Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |
1–1 | 0–1 | ||||
Regional record
| Season | Competition | Round | Club | Home | Away | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | ASEAN Club Championship | Group C | Persita Tangerang |
1–2 | 2nd out of 3 | |
 MCTPC |
2–1 | |||||
| Quarter-finals | BEC Tero Sasana |
1–2 | ||||
| 2005 | ASEAN Club Championship | Group A |  Pahang FA |
0–4 | 2nd out of 4 | |
 Nagacorp |
5–1 | |||||
 FC Zebra |
14–1 | |||||
| Semi-finals |  Tampines Rovers |
0–0 (a.e.t.) (3–5 p) |
League record
| Season | Pld | Won | Draw | Lost | GF | GA | GD | PTS | Final position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-2001 V.League 2 | 22 | 9 | 4 | 9 | 26 | 20 | +6 | 31 | 5th | |
| 2001-2002 V.League 2 | 22 | 13 | 2 | 7 | 38 | 32 | +6 | 41 | 3rd | Promoted to the 2003 V-League |
| 2003 V-League | 22 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 41 | 26 | +15 | 43 | Champions | Qualified for 2004 AFC Champions League |
| 2004 V-League | 22 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 42 | 13 | +29 | 46 | Champions | Qualified for 2005 AFC Champions League |
| 2005 V-League | 22 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 30 | 24 | +6 | 32 | 4th | |
| 2006 V-League | 24 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 24 | 21 | +3 | 36 | 4th | |
| 2007 V-League | 26 | 12 | 5 | 9 | 40 | 33 | +7 | 41 | 3rd | |
| 2008 V-League | 26 | 11 | 6 | 9 | 33 | 33 | +2 | 39 | 7th | |
| 2009 V-League | 26 | 11 | 4 | 11 | 44 | 45 | −1 | 37 | 6th | |
| 2010 V-League | 26 | 11 | 6 | 9 | 34 | 27 | +7 | 39 | 7th | |
| 2011 V-League | 26 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 49 | 46 | +3 | 32 | 9th | |
| 2012 V-League | 26 | 11 | 6 | 9 | 33 | 33 | 0 | 39 | 5th | |
| 2013 V.League 1 | 20 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 24 | 16 | +8 | 35 | 3rd | |
| 2014 V.League 1 | 22 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 41 | 48 | −7 | 23 | 9th | |
| 2015 V.League 1 | 26 | 6 | 6 | 14 | 33 | 50 | −17 | 24 | 13th | |
| 2016 V.League 1 | 26 | 9 | 3 | 14 | 39 | 50 | −11 | 30 | 12th | |
| 2017 V.League 1 | 26 | 9 | 3 | 14 | 34 | 43 | −9 | 30 | 10th | |
| 2018 V.League 1 | 26 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 41 | 53 | −12 | 31 | 10th | |
| 2019 V.League 1 | 26 | 10 | 5 | 11 | 45 | 46 | −1 | 35 | 8th | |
| 2020 V.League 1 | 20 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 27 | 36 | −9 | 23 | 7th | |
| 2021 V.League 1 | 12 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 23 | 9 | +14 | 29 | Champions | Qualified for 2022 AFC Champions League |
| 2022 V.League 1 | 24 | 7 | 11 | 6 | 26 | 24 | +2 | 32 | 6th | |
| 2023 V.League 1 | 18 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 19 | 19 | ±0 | 23 | 10th | |
| 2023–24 V.League 1 | 26 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 22 | 35 | −13 | 32 | 11th | |
| 2024–25 V.League 1 | 26 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 34 | 41 | –7 | 29 | 9th |
Managerial history
Head coaches by years (2003–present)
| Name | Nat | Period | Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arjhan Srong-ngamsub | |
2003–2004 | 2003 V-League –  Champions 2004 V-League – Champions |
| Huỳnh Văn Ảnh | |
2005 | 2005 ASEAN Club Championship –  Third place |
| Arjhan Srong-ngamsub | |
2006 | |
| Kiatisuk Senamuang | |
2006 | |
| Chatchai Paholpat | |
2006–2007 | 2007 V-League – Third place |
| Anant Amornkiat | |
2008 | |
| Dusit Chalermsan | |
2008–2009 | |
| Chatchai Paholpat | |
2009 | |
| Dusit Chalermsan | |
2009 | |
| Kiatisuk Senamuang | |
2010 | 2010 Vietnamese Cup –  Runners-up |
| Dusit Chalermsan | |
2011 | |
| Huỳnh Văn Ảnh | |
2011 | |
| Choi Yun-kyum | |
2011–2014 | 2013 V.League 1 – Third place |
| Guillaume Graechen |  |
2015 | |
| Nguyễn Quốc Tuấn | |
2015–2017 | |
| Dương Minh Ninh (†) | |
2017–2019 | |
| Lee Tae-hoon | |
2019–2020 | |
| Nguyễn Văn Đàn Dương Minh Ninh (†) |
|
2020 | |
| Kiatisuk Senamuang | |
2020–2024 | 2021 V-League – Champions |
| Vũ Tiến Thành | |
2024 | |
| Lê Quang Trãi | |
2024– |
Honours
National competitions
- League
- Cup
- Vietnamese Super Cup:
- Winners: 2003, 2004
- Vietnamese Cup
Other competitions
- ASEAN Club Championship:
- Third place: 2005
- BTV Cup:
- Winners : 2018
- Quang Trung Emperor's Cup:
- Winners: 2022
- Four-Team Football Tournament - Thái Nguyên:
- Winners: 2025