Hanoi FC lift 2018 V.League trophy in complete joy

Hanoi FC officially lifted the 2018 V.League trophy on a Tuesday of complete joy as they cruised to a commanding 3-0 home win over XSKT Can Tho in the penultimate round at Hang Day stadium.

Vuong Bich Thang, Director of the General Department of Sports and Physical Training, and Tran Anh Tu, President of the Vietnam Professional Football (VPF) company, present the trophy to the champions Hanoi FC. (Photo: VTC)

Manager Chu Dinh Nghiem did not hide his ambition for a win to wrap up the most successful season in V.League history as he fielded his strongest starting squad including attack spearheads Van Quyet, Thanh Luong and Oseni Ganiyu Bolaji.

With the Round 25 clash being their last home-ground match this season, Hanoi FC players put constant pressure on the guests seeking to bag the full three points as a gift in tribute to their faithful local fans.

The home side missed a bunch of opportunities to score in the first half, with Oseni firing a shot at the Can Tho goalkeeper after eight minutes and Van Hau hitting the post later.

After the break, manager Chu Dinh Nghiem added power to Hanoi’s attack line by sending Hoang Vu Samson onto the field. Such a wise substitution worked significantly to bring home a convincing triumph for Hanoi FC.

Samson assisted Van Quyet to head home the opener three minutes after the hour mark, before scoring his personal goal in the match with four minutes left on the clock. Seconds before the final whistle, it was the substitute who produced another assist for Oseni to round up the resounding victory for the capital team.

By beating XSKT Can Tho, Hanoi FC continued to further break the V.League points total record set by Becamex Binh Duong in 2007 (55 points), having now gained 64 points following 20 wins, four draws and only one loss.

Sanna Khanh Hoa BVN dropped to third place following their unexpected 1-2 loss to Song Lam Nghe An, ceding the second-place position to direct competitors FLC Thanh Hoa, who returned with a brilliant 2-1 win from their trip to Ho Chi Minh City.

Saigon FC outplayed Quang Ninh Coal 2-1 to successfully escape relegation this season.

Second-from-bottom Nam Dinh FC recorded a crucial 2-1 victory against former champions Becamex Binh Duong, thus creating a three-point lead and a five-goal advantage over bottom-placed XSKT Can Tho.

In other matches, Hoang Anh Gia Lai and Quang Nam FC cruised to respective 0-0 and 2-2 draws against Hai Phong FC and SHB Da Nang./.

VNF/NDO