V-League club Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) won the NaviBank HCMC Cup after beating hosts NaviBank Saigon 6-5 in a penalty shootout on Wednesday.

In the finals at the Thong Nhat Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City, it continued to be a stronger side all through the game against NaviBank Saigon (formerly the Fourth Military Zone club).

Its players missed several clear scoring chances during the match, so the victory in the penalty shootout came as a relief for the Central Highlands club.

HAGL goalkeeper Sihavy Michal put in an excellent performance by saving three kicks by Minh Tien, Anh Thang and Hai Anh of NaviBank Saigon while his counterpart Duc Hung managed to save two.

In the fight for third place, Dong Thap dominated the game against HCMC Club to prevail 3-0.

The NaviBank Cup 2010 attracted seven local teams and one from South Korea’s Chung Ang University.

The South Koreans bowed out in the group stage with three points after one win and two losses.

The event, organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Football Federation, is seen by local teams as a chance to test their players, especially new ones from abroad, to prepare for the 2010 football season.

Source: SGGP