Football 

NAM ĐỊNH — Rafaelson scored a double to help Thép Xanh Nam Định win 3-0 against Đông Á Thanh Hóa and secure their first ever National Super Cup on August 31 at Thiên Trường Stadium.

Nam Định were in good spirits after winning the national premier league and their performance clearly enhanced by the thousands of home supporters who filled all the seats at the 30,000 capacity venue.

Meanwhile Thanh Hóa gained confidence from their National Cup victory and their first game against Shan United of Myanmar in the AFF Club Championship.

Both started strong, with the line ups including the best players from both sides from the first whistle, so both were heavily reliant on defenders who were on alert all the time.

Although he was under the constant 'care' of Thanh Hóa players, Rafaelson proved why he is Việt Nam's V.League best scorer of all time.

The Brazilian headed home to open the score at the 51st minute of the match and bagged his second goal just 20 minutes later.

Sandwiched between his goals was Trần Văn Công's successful finish at the 65th mark.

Thanh Hóa, despite putting in some strong effort, could not find a way to goalkeeper Trần Nguyên Mạnh's area of Nam Định.

"I am extremely happy winning the trophy for Nam Định. It is also my first National Super Cup too," said coach Vũ Hồng Việt.

"Thanh Hóa are strong team who created many challenges for us and they beat us at the National Cup's semi-finals. But we won this match and it is great to lift the cup on home ground."

Meanwhile, keeper Mạnh said the whole team were determined and united together for the full 90 minutes. It was sweet revenged the semi-final match loss, he said, and the second trophy of the year was for all their loyal supporters.

Nam Định walked away with VNĐ300 million (US$12,000) and are now ready for the beginning of the new local league season on September 14 and AFC Champions League 2, four days later. — VNS