On top: Phan Van Tai Em is carried by his teammates after scoring one of his hattrick in Dong Tam Long An's 4-2 win over Dong Nai in the National Cup. — VNS Photo Tuan Tu

HA NOI  (VNS) — Phan Van Tai Em, the former national midfielder, scored a hattrick in Dong Tam Long An 4-2 win over Dong Nai during the National Cup quarter-finals yesterday.

As the hosts, Dong Tam Long An quickly set up their domination and constantly attacked Dong Nai who, surprised observers by advancing this far in the Cup.

The opener came after a series of threatening chances were wasted when Em converted Vo Nhat Tan's pass from the left wing into a goal at the 37th minute.

Both sides made changes in the second half, with a view to score turning points.

Dong Nai were successful first, with a leveller at the 63rd minute following a counter-attack.

Also, striker Christian Jose Amougou Nsi beat Dong Tam Long An goalie Nguyen Huynh Quoc Cuong with a straight shoot.

But the hosts went ahead for the second time just six minutes later, as Em scored his second goal from a narrow-angle shoot. He completed his hattrick at the 72nd mark.

Nsi made it 2-3, but the Cameroon player could not alone save his team from failure when Nguyen Thanh Hai added another goal to the hosts' bag.

Dong Tam Long An will play against Becamex Binh Duong in the semi-finals on August 5.

Binh Duong yesterday beat Song Lam Nghe An 2-1.

Playing with their best players, Binh Duong did not see many difficulties, although they were on the away field at Vinh Stadium, one of the most aggressive venues around the country.

With many members trained and having played for Song Lam Nghe An in the past, Binh Duong well understood their rivals.

They scored the opening goal 20 minutes into the match, with captain Nguyen Anh Duc's powerful header.

After great effort, Song Lam Nghe An made it 1-1 following the interval, when captain Nguyen Quang Tinh was successful with his penalty shootout.

However, the fans in the stands could not be happy for long, as Binh Duong was also awarded a penalty, which was converted into a goal by Cheikh Abass Dieng.

Hai Phong came from behind to defeat SHB Da Nang 2-1 to continue their route and defend their title.

Pham Nguyen Sa scored the only goal for the hosts in the first half, while Steven made a double for the guests in the second.

In the semi-final, Hai Phong will meet Ha Noi T&T who yesterday beat Hoang Anh Gia Lai 2-0 during a heavy rain. — VNS