Thanh Hoa secured their second consecutive National Cup victory after a dramatic 9-8 win in a penalty shootout against Hanoi FC on their home ground on the evening of July 6.
This marks the second year in a row that Thanh Hoa has won the National Cup, both times triumphing in penalty shootouts. Last season, Thanh Hoa drew 0-0 with Viettel (now The Cong Viettel) in regular time before winning 5-3 on penalties. With this victory, Thanh Hoa joins the ranks of clubs like Hanoi FC (2019, 2020) and Binh Dinh (2003, 2004) as consecutive Cup winners. Thanh Hoa now has two Cup titles, tying with clubs such as TP HCM, Binh Dinh, Da Nang, Hai Phong, Hai Quang (defunct), and Ngan hang Dong A (defunct). Hanoi FC, Binh Duong, and SLNA lead the count with three Cup victories each.
Pre-Match Expectations and Key Absences
Despite playing at home, Thanh Hoa was considered the underdog due to the absence of their key striker Rimario and coach Velizar Popov, both suspended. Meanwhile, Hanoi FC entered the match in strong form, with seven wins, two draws, and just one loss in their last ten matches. Their most recent victory was a 4-1 thrashing of The Cong in the semi-finals of the National Cup 2023-2024, just three days prior.
Match Highlights
The match saw Thanh Hoa and Hanoi FC engaging in the longest penalty shootout in the history of the National Cup, extending to 10 rounds, with only the goalkeepers left to take their shots. After four rounds, Hanoi FC led 4-3, thanks to Dinh Tung’s missed penalty, which was saved by Van Hoang.
Victory seemed within reach for Hanoi FC, but Joel Tagueu missed his penalty in the fifth round, allowing Thanh Hoa to equalize. Both teams continued to score until the shootout reached 8-8.
Decisive Moments
Hanoi FC’s captain Van Quyet, despite his desire to avoid taking a penalty due to recent misses, stepped up for the tenth round. He had missed penalties in two consecutive matches prior: a 2-1 win against Cong an Ha Noi in Round 23 and a 3-3 draw with Binh Duong in Round 26 of the Night Wolf V.League 1 – 2023/2024. The pressure was evident, and Van Quyet’s shot was saved, giving Thanh Hoa a golden opportunity.
Hoang Thai Binh then stepped up for Thanh Hoa and calmly slotted the ball down the middle, deceiving Van Hoang and securing the Cup for Thanh Hoa.
Regular Time Overview
During the regular 90 minutes, both teams struggled to break the deadlock, with Thanh Hoa having a few notable chances, including a near-miss by Antonio Luiz and a header by Doan Ngoc Tan that went over. Hanoi FC also created several opportunities, with Tim Hall hitting the post and Van Quyet narrowly missing the target.
Conclusion
The match ended goalless after regular time, leading directly to the penalty shootout. Thanh Hoa’s victory denied Hanoi FC the chance to become the first club to win the National Cup four times.
This triumph not only solidifies Thanh Hoa’s position as a formidable force in Vietnamese football but also highlights their resilience and ability to perform under pressure. The victory will be celebrated as a significant achievement in the club’s history.
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