HÀ NỘI — Today’s Super Cup match between Hà Nội and Becamex Bình Dương will see 13 national stars compete in the season’s curtain-raiser.

Hà Nội are the V.League champions while Becamex Bình Dương are the National Cup winners.

"It would be a competitive match as 13 players of both sides are core members of the national team, many of them had a successful 2018," said Trần Anh Tú, general director of the Việt Nam Professional Football Company which manages the domestic leagues.

Hà Nội are home to 10 players including midfielder Nguyễn Quang Hải, defenders Đỗ Duy Mạnh and Đoàn Văn Hậu and goalkeeper Bùi Tiến Dũng meanwhile Becamex Bình Dương have striker Nguyễn Anh Đức and Nguyễn Tiến Linh, midfilder Hồ Tấn Tài.

If Becamex Bình Dương win, it will be the fifth time they have triumphed, a new record.

Hà Nội, who have home advantage, are aiming for their second cup success.

The two teams played each other at the 2015 Super Cup and Bình Dương won 2-0 with striker Anh Đức scoring both goals.

Coach Trần Minh Chiến is confident of a win after their four previous final victories.

"All of my players are asked to play at their best,” said Chiến, himself a former national striker.

“It is difficult to beat Hà Nội but we are ready for the match."

In the past 20 matches in V.League, Hà Nội won nine, drew six and lost five. However they suffered two defeats and two draws to Bình Dương.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, the 2018 AFF Cup most valuable player Hải said his team were well prepared.

"We always prepare carefully for every match, especially our fitness levels,” said Hải who played 56 matches in 2018 and score 20 goals.

“We must strictly follow coaches’ tactics. I myself have set my own targets for the game and will work hard to achieve them."

The match at the Hàng Đẫy Stadium is at 4pm with tickets priced at VNĐ50,000 (US$2) and VNĐ70,000 ($3).

The winner will enjoy VNĐ300 million ($13,000) while the runners up receive VNĐ200 million ($8,600). The player who opens the score and most valuable player of the match will be awarded VNĐ10 million ($430) each.

Hà Nội will have two days rest before they take part in the AFC Champions League playoff match against Shandong Luneng in China on February 19. — VNS