Bui Hoang Viet Anh slotted home the solitary goal of the match in the 73rd minute from a pass by Geovane, thus drawing Hanoi FC level with Song Lam Nghe An and Becamex Binh Duong in terms of Super Cup trophies.
With the absence of centre back duo Que Ngoc Hai and Bui Tien Dung, Viettel manager Truong Viet Hoang deployed Luiz Silva and Duc Chien as replacements, while also granting debut opportunities to new signings midfielder Nguyen Huu Thang and forward Pedro Paulo.
On the Hanoi side, manager Chu Dinh Nghiem used his strongest possible squad with Quang Hai, Van Quyet and Hung Dung in midfield assisting foreign strikers Geovane and Bruno Cantanhede.
(Photo: NDO/Tran Hai)
Van Quyet wasted a chance to put the National Cup holders in front with a missed volley in the middle of the first half, while Bruno was denied a goal by the crossbar three minutes before halftime. Viettel FC also produced some scoring opportunities, with Trong Hoang’s long-range strike stopped by keeper Van Cong and Pedro Paulo’s free kick flying over the bar.
Hanoi FC came close to breaking the deadlock a few minutes after the hour mark, but both Van Quyet and Geovane failed to capitalise on their opportunities. In particular, unmarked Geovane failed to beat the Viettel goalie at close range.
Hanoi FC's Bui Hoang Viet Anh celebrates scoring the solitary goal with teammates. (Photo: NDO/Tran Hai)
However, their efforts were eventually rewarded in the 73rd minute, with Geovane smartly feeding the ball to the unmarked Viet Anh who shot past keeper Nguyen Manh from the centre of the box to help Chu Dinh Nghiem’s side successfully defend their Super Cup title.
