Nguyễn Văn Quyết (right) scored a hat-trick in Ha Noi FC's 5-1 win against HCM City FC in the National Cup semi-final.

HÀ NỘI — Ha Noi FC will have the chance to defend the National Cup after a convincing 5-1 victory in the semi-final against HCM City FC at the empty Hàng Đẫy stadium.

A hat-trick from captain Nguyễn Văn Quyết and goals from Nguyễn Quang Hải and Nguyễn Thành Chung secured a place in the final for the capital side.

Despite the big win, Ha Noi wasn’t the stronger side during the first half as City had more shots and possession.

It could have been one-nil for the visitors if it hadn’t been for Ha Noi goalkeeper Tấn Trường’s good save after a shot from Trần Phi Sơn in the 22nd minute.

Ha Noi's first dangerous opportunity came in the 31st minute and while Le Tấn Tài’s chip beat the onrushing Bùi Tiến Dũng, the ball sailed wide, much to the goalkeeper's relief.

The first goal came just before half-time as Quang Hải’s chipped free-kick put Văn Quyết through on goal to beat Tiến Dũng's flap at the ball to open the scoring.

The lead was doubled early in the second period, Quang Hải's free-kick assisting Thành Chung this time for a headed goal.

The visitors hit back two minutes later thanks to a clinical finish from Đỗ Văn Thuận.

Any hope was to be fleeting however, as in the 63rd minute Quang Hải restored the two-goal lead with a smart finish from a Thành Chung cross.

Quang Hải’s excellent performance continued and after a mistake from HCM City’s defender Ngô Viết Phú, Do Hùng Dũng won possession and passed the ball to Quang Hải who then crossed quickly to Văn Quyết to make the score 4-1.

The route was completed in the 91st minute as Pape Omar Faye raced clear of the defence and squared for Văn Quyết, allowing the captain complete his hat-trick with an easy tap-in.

There will be a Hà Nội derby in the final of the National Cup as defender Bùi Tiến Dũng’s goal in injury time helped Viettel beat Than Quảng Ninh 2-1 in the other semi-final. VNS