Lee Nguyen celebrates after scoring the first goal of his hat trick in Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s 3-2 win over Saigon United in a home match Sunday

Expatriate Lee Nguyen, who came to Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) earlier this month, scored a hat trick in his club’s 3-2 win over Saigon United in the National Cup tournament opener in Pleiku Town Sunday.

Pham Van Quyen, who was playing for the first time after a lifetime ban was lifted earlier this month, played superbly and made a neat pass to Trong Hoang who scored in Song Lam Nghe An’s 2-0 win over Huda Hue city.

Five other V-League teams including Dong Tam Long An have advanced to the second round, but Thanh Hoa lost 3-0 to Quang Nam and Ho Chi Minh City Club lost 2-1 to H. Can Tho. The second round will be played on February 21 and 22.

Reported by Giang Lao - Thuy Khanh - Lan Phuong