Star striker Nguyen Cong Phuong’s superb goal failed to salvage hosts Ho Chi Minh City FC in the Vietnamese National Football Super Cup final against Hanoi FC at Thong Nhat Stadium on Sunday, leading to the Capital Team lifting the trophy for the third time in history.

The visitors staged a comeback from one goal down to win the game, played behind closed doors over novel coronavirus concerns, right in the first half, depsite their key defender Do Duy Manh leaving the pitch shortly after kick-off.

Hanoi FC played cautiously and were dealt a blow in the sixth minute, when Manh suffered an injury following a fight for the ball.

Bui Hoang Viet Anh was sent in from the bench to replace Manh.

The hosts appeared to be proactive in attacks thanks to the versatility of Vietnam international playmaker Nguyen Cong Phuong.

Phuong fired home from 25 meters in the 19th minute, when TV broadcasts focused on the replay of a Hanoi FC attack.

The hosts seemed to lose possession following the goal, ceding play to the visitors.

The Capital Team created a lot of pressure on their opponents and found the back of the net on 31 minutes.

Captain Nguyen Van Quyet’s cross met Do Hung Dung in the box, who touched the ball before it hit defender Cong Thanh’s legs and rolled into goalie Bui Tien Dung’s goal.

Hung Dung blasted the ball in the box again 45 minutes into the game, only for Bui Tien Dung to block it. But Pape Omar quickly converted the rebound with a powerful shot.

Ho Chi Minh City FC could not find the equalizer in the second half notwithstanding their relentless attempts. No more goal was scored before the final whistle.

Hanoi FC had won the Super Cup in the 2016 and 2018 seasons.

They won the top-flight V-League 1 and National Cup last season, while Ho Chi Minh City FC were runners-up in both competitions.

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