National Cup Final: Good attack meets solid defense

At first glance, B.Binh Duong would seem to have more advantages because they are a "regular guest" in the National Cup finals. The team from the land of Thu has been present in 3 out of the last 4 National Cup finals. B.Binh Duong has also lifted the championship cup twice in 1994 and 2015. Meanwhile, FLC Thanh Hoa has only reached the National Cup final for the first time in the team's history. But the truth is not quite like that?

Correlation of forces

Talking about the past, the history of confrontation between FLC Thanh Hoa and B. Binh Duong is quite balanced. Since 2015, FLC Thanh Hoa has won 2, lost 1 and drawn 5 times. However, FLC Thanh Hoa's recent form is better than Binh Duong's with 4 wins and 1 draw, while the team from Thu Dau Mot has 2 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw.

Tan Tai is the bridge for B.Binh Duong to quickly switch from defense to counterattack. Photo: Internet

FLC Thanh Hoa's road to Tam Ky was much more impressive. Although they were led 3-2 by SLNA in the first leg of the semi-finals at home, coach Duc Thang only needed a few small adjustments to win 4-0 in the second leg in Vinh.

They made Nghe An the former champion of the tournament in a "convincing" way. Meanwhile, B. Binh Duong had to struggle to hold Hanoi to a draw to win a ticket to the final by the away goal rule.

In terms of personnel, FLC Thanh Hoa has an advantage as they have not lost any players due to penalties or injuries. Meanwhile, B. Binh Duong will be without goalkeeper Tan Truong in the final match due to having received two yellow cards.

Hanoi FC could not win at Go Dau Stadium because the goalkeeper of the team from Thu Dau blocked at least 3 good chances of the new V.League champion. 33-year-old goalkeeper from Nghe An, Tran Duc Cuong, will have the opportunity to put on the gloves to face the players from Thanh Hoa.

Up to 5 national players will be present in the National Cup final, on the B. Binh Duong side are 2 main strikers Anh Duc and Tien Linh. Meanwhile, FLC. Thanh Hoa also has 3 names called up: Trong Hoang, Bui Tien Dung and Luc Xuan Hung.

Quang Nam audiences will witness and evaluate their professional abilities. However, in reality, having to “save their legs” for the day they join the national team also becomes a pressure for them, in a match where the opponent will tackle without mercy.

Good offense meets good defense

Coach Minh Chien's most successful match against Hanoi FC was using defensive midfielder Ali Rabo (wearing the number 88 jersey), who is 1.86m tall, to play as a central defender. This player was born in 1986, is a Burkina Faso national and has played for the national team of this country 7 times, discouraging the foreign strikers of the Capital team.

FLC Thanh Hoa players are determined to win the Cup as a wedding gift for Hoang Thinh. Photo: Internet

The second player that coach Duc Thang must pay attention to is captain Tan Tai, who plays midfield. This 34-year-old veteran plays the role of "balancing the team" in the midfield area, with a lot of experience in breaking down FLC Thanh Hoa's playing style. The Thu Dau Mot team plays with high spirit, is physically strong, cohesive, and has a harmonious combination of veterans and young players.

On the V.League rankings, FLC Thanh Hoa Club is ranked higher than Becamex Binh Duong Club (2nd place compared to 7th place). It seems that FLC Thanh Hoa invited coach Duc Thang to lead the team with long-term goals rather than immediate achievements.

But with the opportunity to win the National Cup, with the current force in the team, being rated higher, there is no reason to ignore it. Foreign players Rimario and Pape Omar of the Thanh team are rated higher than D.Binh Duong, especially Rimario after leaving HAGL has scored 5 goals in 6 matches, very impressive.

In a final match where “good offense meets solid defense”, Tan Tai was the bridge for B.Binh Duong to quickly switch from defense to counterattack. If Hoang Thinh and Huu Dung can stop the explosion, this groom from Nghe An will have a wedding gift for his bride with the Golden Cup.