Hanoi players celebrate their National Super Cup victory at Thong Nhat Stadium on Sunday. They defeated HCM City 2-1 to take their third title. — Photo of Hanoi FC

Only 100 fans of both teams were allowed into the stadium as organisers wanted to avoid the risk of catching the current novel coronavirus outbreak.

Playing behind closed doors, HCM City could not enjoyed their advantage as hosts while Hanoi were not under pressure from home fans.

However, the visitors suffered a big blow when key defender Do Duy Manh got injured and was replaced at the fourth minute.

Manh’s departure left a big hole in the Hanoi defence, which was also Tran Dinh Trong and star midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai due to injuries.

National striker Le Cong Phuong opened the scoring for HCM City after 19 minutes with a shot from 25m that beat goalkeeper Tran Van Cong.

It was Phuong’s third goal in three matches for HCM City, and he received a VND10 million (US$430) bonus for the opener.

However, Hanoi proved why they are champions of both the V.League 1 and the National Cup.

Defender Nguyen Cong Thanh scored an own goal in the 30th minute, and 14 minutes later goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung flapped at the ball, which fell to Pape Omar Faye, who did not waste the opportunity.

"Dung was under a little pressure facing his former team but I think he is getting better," South Korean coach Chung Hae-song said at the post-match briefing.

"We should look at the whole match not a single mistake. The loss for the team is not always because of the keeper. Dung is a good shot-stopper and he will progress in a short time," Chung said.

HCM City went after an equaliser in the second half, but failed to come close.

Hanoi are the second club after Becamex Binh Duong to win a hattrick of three domestic titles in the season. They also pocketed VND300 million ($13,000).

HCM City received VND200 million ($8,600) and will have to wait another year for their first ever Super Cup victory.

The V.League 1 will kick off on March 7, with the first matches to be held in empty stadiums. The V.League 2 will kick off on March 14. The National Cup will be organised from April 3 to October 31. — VNS

Super Cup scheduled to take place on March 1

The date of the Super Cup tie between V.League 1 champions Hanoi FC and National Cup runners-up HCM City FC has been rearranged and will now take place at the Thong Nhat Stadium in HCM City, with kick off set for 4:30pm on March 1.