SHB Da Nang trounce QNK Quang Nam 3-0 in the National Cup quarter-finals.—Photo thethao247

DA NANG (VNS)—Top scorer Gaston Merlo converted twice and winger Huynh Quoc Anh added another goal to help SHB Da Nang trounce QNK Quang Nam 3-0 in the National Cup quarter-finals yesterday.

Hosts Da Nang fielded a young squad to play against underdogs Quang Nam in the knock-out match.

However, the young players failed to net the ball during the first half with only a few shots at goal.

The first half ended with a goalless draw.

In the second half, Da Nang's coach Le Huynh Duc sent on Quoc Anh and Merlo in a bid to put their team ahead.

Just three minutes into the second half, Merlo opened the score for Da Nang with a close range shot.

His teammate Quoc Anh then made it 2-0 in the 53rd minute when he fired a powerful shot to stun Quang Nam's goalie Nguyen Xuan Nam.

The Argentinean striker completed a convincing win for Da Nang when he broke through Quang Nam's defence to net the ball at the far corner.

Argentinean player Nicolas Hernandez and Ghana's Annas David tried to pull back a goal for Quang Nam, but they failed to penetrate Da Nang's defence.

In another match held yesterday, Dong Tam Long An beat Ha Noi T&T 2-1.

On Wednesday, Ninh Binh beat Hoang Anh Gia Lai 2-1. — VNS