Viet Nam News
HA NOI — SHB Da Nang knocked defending champions Quang Ninh Coal out of the National Cup with a 1-1 draw in the second leg of their quarter-finals match in Da Nang yesterday.
Da Nang won 4-1 on aggregate and advanced to the semi-final.
Hoa Xuan Stadium is considered to be a lucky venue for the hosts, who have rarely lost when playing on their home turf.
It proved true yesterday, as the hosts came from behind to get an equal result.
Quang Ninh Coal who lost 0-3 in the first leg last Friday arrived at the stadium determined to post a huge win. This was the only way they could continue defending their title.
They scored first with Patiyo Tambwe’s goal in the 10th minute. The Congolese striker converted a penalty kick into the winner by shooting to the right corner.
However, Da Nang did not let them rejoice for long.
Do Merlo showed his outstanding performance just two minutes later with a tap in from close quarters.
Merlo, who received the Viet Nam passport last week, kept threatening Quang Ninh’s net many times throughout the match, but he wasted his chances.
Quang Ninh tried harder in the second half to find Da Nang’s net, but their strikers could not beat the hosts’ defenders who were very focussed.
At the Thong Nhat Stadium, HCM City were crushed into pieces by visiting Song Lam Nghe An.
The hosts had to win this match with at least two goals to proceed in the tournament. However, they could not stop Song Lam Nghe An from scoring.
Ho Phuc Tinh opened the score at the 16th minute. Dau Thanh Phong made his name in the score board six minutes later. Que Ngoc Hai, who was expected not to play in this match due to injury, made it 3-0 with a straight free kick, and Phan Van Duc sealed their win with a narrow-angle finish 10 minutes before the finish.
With an aggregate loss of 1-7, HCM City were eliminated from the tournament.
HCM City’s President Le Cong Vinh ran to the stands to apologise to the local fans.
Vinh said HCM City were focussing on both the National Cup and the V.League, which will return to action this weekend. However, the team could not play well, which bothered its supporters.
Vinh promised that he would do his best to elevate HCM City in the next season, or he would resign.
In two other matches, Quang Nam beat Can Tho 3-0 and repeated their success of entering the semi-finals last year. They will play Song Lam Nghe An in the next round.
Becamex Binh Duong won 2-1 over Sai Gon and joined the last-four stage, where they will play SHB Da Nang.
The semi-finals’ first leg is on September 20, and the second leg is scheduled for October 6. — VNS