Thể Công-Viettel to face Daejeon Hana Citizen in Hana Play Cup final

Football

Captain Nguyễn Văn Quyết of Hà Nội FC (right) tries to pass against Thể Công-Viettel at the Hana Play Cup. Viettel won 4-3 after penalties. Photos of Vietfootball

HÀ NỘI — Thể Công-Viettel will play Daejeon Hana Citizen in the final of the Hana Play Cup Presented by BIDV after their wins on January 23 in Hà Nội.

Thể Công-Viettel beat archival Hà Nội FC 4-3 in a penalty shootout after their game ended goalless after 90 minutes at the Hàng Đẫy Stadium.

Both teams had new head coaches with both determined to start with a win in their first game.

Players were asked to play in attack from the beginning, making a match competitive with many threatening opportunities.

However, the cold weather seemed a big problem with the strikers as none could turn their chances into a goal.

In the shoot-out, Dương Thanh Hào of Thể Công-Viettel failed to score as his straight effort was saved by U23 goalkeeper Quan Văn Chuẩn.

For Hà Nội, Brandon James Wilson and Nguyễn Thành Chung put their penalties wide.

Coach Daiki Iwamasa of Hà Nội FC felt his team should have scored at least once in the 90 minutes, but felt his limited time in charge meant players struggled to adapt fully to his tactics.

He did concede that Viettel were the stronger team.

Coach Nguyễn Đức Thắng of Thể Công-Viettel said it was an important match as both coaches had just a limited time to work with their new teams.

“In fact the win does not mean much because both two sides did not play with their best players who are serving the national team at the Asian Cup,” said Thắng.

“I put young players on the field and I am pleased with their performance. The win makes us happy of course but I also was not so pleased with some of our finishing. We created threatening attacks but could not find the net.”

Daejeon Hana Citizen players celebrate their goal against Bali United.

In the second match, Hana Daejeon Citizen of South Korea defeated Bali United of Indonesia 1-0 with the only goal by Kim Seungdae in the first half.

The third-place playoff will be between Hà Nội and Bali United at 1.30pm while final match see Thể Công-Viettel versus Daejeon Hana Citizen at 5pm.

Matches will be take place at the Hàng Đẫy Stadium and will be live on VTVCab. VNS