Ha Noi T&T win Super Cup

HA NOI — Defending V-League champions Ha Noi T&T fought back to win the Super Cup at Hang Day Stadium yesterday against Song Lam Nghe An, winning 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in normal time.

The Hanoian team, who won the V-League in June, were shocked by their long-term rivals Nghe An taking a 2-0 lead in the first minutes of the second half.

Ha Noi T&T boasted a string of stars including goalie Duong Hong Son, captain Brazilian Cristiano Roland, maestro Le Hong Minh and Brazil’s Cauce Benicio along with attacking midfielder Cao Sy Cuong, but they failed to dominate the well-organised defence and quick counter-attacks of Nghe An team.

Newly-contracted striker Kavin Bryan threatened the hosts’ goalie with his speed and close range shots in the first half, while talisman Argentinean striker Gonzalo Marronkle was marked closely Nghe An’s defenders.

After a goalless first half, Edmun Owusu Ansah of Nghe An slotted the ball home from his teammate’s 53rd minute cross, beating goalie Hong Son.

Midfielder Nguyen Trong Hoang made it 2-0 for Nghe An after a rapid counterattack in the 69th minute.

T&T pulled a goal back in the 80th minute when Cao Sy Cuong scored for Ha Noi.

In the third minute of injury time, captain Cristiano Roland equalised with a header, sending the final to a penalty shoot-out with Ha Noi winning 4-2.

The Super Cup winners received a VND200 million (US$10,000) cash prize, with the runners-up pocketing VND100 million ($5,000). — VNS