Thien Truong Stadium - now in Ninh Binh, promises to be a "fire pan" when Nam Dinh Steel Blue welcomes Hanoi Police in the National Super Cup match. Not only the debut of the new season, this is also a clash between two of the rising forces, with a bright rookie squad and great ambitions in both domestic and continental competitions.
Nam Dinh, the champion of V.League for 2 consecutive seasons, is very familiar with the pressure and pride on the Thien Truong grass. They are still a disciplined team, knowing how to control the game and make the most of opportunities. Meanwhile, Hanoi Police - the new champion of the National Cup - is showing that they are not only strong in the spirit of steel, but also willing to spend in the transfer market, with a series of quality domestic and foreign players.
In terms of expertise, both teams have diverse attack lines and tight defences. A typical example of the "high-level, low-level" statement is the image of Kyle Hudlin and Quang Hai. The rookie of the team from Thanh Nam is up to 2m06 tall and of course is a very profitable option for high-altitude matches. But on the other side, Quang Hai - only 1m68 tall - represents theucs and ingenuity of competitions on the ground.
One uses his stature to threaten the goal, the other uses his legs and creative mind to unlock the defense. Good and beautiful football is that height does not decide everything - and it is the opposites that easily create unforgettable moments.
The recent history of confrontations has favored Nam Dinh thanks to their stability and cohesive playing style. But Hanoi Police has never been an easy opponent. They may not have much possession, but just a few counter-attacks or set pieces, a goal can come at any time.
The National Super Cup was originally just a decisive match, but it was a test for the whole season. Nam Dinh wants to affirm that they are still the "king" of V.League, while Hanoi Police are eager to lift the cup for the first time in this arena. When the opening whistle blew, on the same pitch, not necessarily high but low does not mean low, so courage will decide the one who smiles at last.
