Hà Nội celebrate winning the National Super Cup 2022. Photo toquoc.vn

Football

HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội defeated Hải Phòng 2-0 in the 2022 National Super Cup at Hàng Đẫy Stadium on Sunday, but coach Bozidar Bandovic acknowledged there is still a lot of work to do to get his squad to where he wants them to be. 

“I am very happy that Hà Nội won the National Super Cup. I don't want to talk about any individual players because we all fought and won,” Bandovic said after the match.

“The Hà Nội players have personality and quality and we only worked together for five days before the match. I know that we can do better, of course, with respect for our opponent. I believe our players. Within five days of training together, they showed their level and ability on the pitch."

Goals from Lucas Vinicius Gonçalves Silva and Trần Văn Kiên helped Hà Nội take the title. This is Hà Nội's fifth Super Cup ever and also Hà Nội's third title of the 2022 season, along with the V.League 1 and National Cup.

Although Bandovic has only worked with Hà Nội for about a month, he is already continuing the capital side's success. 

The Montenegrin said that this is just the beginning, though many difficulties lie ahead.

"We can't change many things in a short time, but I'm happy to have won the national championship. I'm not satisfied with the player's fitness because I understand that we can do better,” coach Bandovic said.

“The level of Hà Nội players is still not equal. I want to improve the young players to help them become the future of Hà Nội and Vietnamese football. The national players have had almost no breaks, and a group of players can't play at 100 per cent of their strength.

“I plan to use the break after the first four rounds of the V.League 1 to improve the team. We need to be better and have to be better. I want to congratulate the players of the team, but this is just the beginning, how it ends is important.

“We can change a few things but it takes time. The players' fitness hasn't improved, but we play more calmly, control the ball and score goals. Creating chances but not scoring won't be as important as playing without creating chances. We have to play better and play in more stable positions," Bandovic added.

Meanwhile, coach Chu Đình Nghiêm said that the cause of Hải Phòng’s defeat was the strong change of players in the team.

"Hà Nội won because they played better. I also observed them in the friendly event. The new coach Bandovic has changed the style of Hà Nội's play,” Nghiêm said.

“We will look for foreign players to replace Emmanuel Okotu. After the 2022 season, Hải Phòng changed up to 70 per cent of personnel, and they were all important people. We are still looking for players, but it is very difficult.” VNS