Daejeon Hana Citizen win Hana Play Cup 2024
Daejeon Hana Citizen FC won the friendly Hana Play Cup 2024 after beating The Cong-Viettel 2-1 in the final on January 27 in Hanoi.
Joaquim Ribeiro Leandro of the Republic of Korea's side made a double in the second after Nguyen Cong Phuong opened the score for the host side whose star Nguyen Hoang Duc wasted a penalty.
Daejeon Hana Citizen beat Indonesian Bali United 1-0 while The Cong-Viettel won a penalty shootout over Hanoi FC to see each other in the final.
In the cold weather, both sides produced threatening opportunities in the first half but none of them could find the back of the net.
Returning home from the Asian Cup, midfielder Khuat Van Khang made a smart run before sending a ball to Phuong in the box. The teenager fired into the far corner of goalkeeper Lee Joonseo at the 69th minute.
Leandro levelled the score with an easy tap-in in the box at the 71st minute. Minutes later, The Cong-Viettel had an opportunity to go ahead after they were awarded a spot kick. However, Duc's finish went out.
At the 77th minute, Leandro took a ball and made a perfect shot over keeper Pham Van Phong to make 2-1.
In the third-place playoff, 10-man Bali United tied Hanoi 1-1 after 90 minutes. Made Andhika of Bali United opened the score at the 11th minute. His teammate Eber Bessa was sent off after he hit Brandon Wilson of Hanoi eight minutes to the interval.
Hanoi gradually took charge of the game and levelled the score when Denilson headed home in early second half.
After the official time, both sides entered the spot kicks. The capital city representative again lost 4-5 in the penalties and saw the Indonesians taking the bronze.
