Hanoi players celebrate their first ever National Cup victory after beating Quang Nam 2-1 in the final yesterday. — Photo news.zing.vn

It is their first trophy from four final attempts and makes them most successful in Vietnam. They won the V.League 1 five times and have two Super Cup triumphs.

The Tam Ky Stadium was waterlogged due to the current Matmo typhoon in the central region of Vietnam leading to a scrappy game, with both teams resorting to long-ball tactics.

The V.League 1 champions Hanoi created the first chances early on but striker Ngan Van Dai and midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai both failed to score.

Quang Nam playing at home also created chances but strikers Ha Minh Tuan and Hoang Vu Samson, former Hanoi’s player, couldn’t beat goalkeeper Phi Minh Long.

One the 35th-minute mark the hosts went one up.

Nguyen Hong Son sent a free kick to the box and Hanoi’s defender Dinh Thanh Chung heading into his own net when his attempted clearance went wrong and flew into the top left corner of Long’s net.

The second half saw Hanoi gradually get back into the match and begin to dominate. Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem clearly demanded more from his team and they delivered after the break.
On 68 minutes they were level.

Skipper Quyet picked up the ball in the box and his low finish went through three Quang Nam players and keeper Pham Van Cuong to find the net.

Papa Ibou Kebe netted the winner with eight minutes remaining, thanks to a smart assist from the captain.

“The whole team have tried our best this match and the trophy is a worthy award for us,” said Quyet who was named man of the match.

“The bad weather influenced our performance and we played without our best foreign players. It's hard to play Quang Nam who are at home and known this pitch by heart.

“The victory will be a strong push for us to try to work harder and better,” said Quyet who grabbed the best V.League 1 player of the season title for the second year in a row. VNS