Dinh Xuan Tien shines to help U21 Song Lam Nghe An win tickets to the semi-finals

Before coming to the Quarterfinals of the 2023 National Youth U21 Tournament, the two teams U21 Song Lam Nghe An and U21 Thanh Hoa were no longer strangers to each other. Before the season, the two teams held a total of 3 friendly matches. Of which, U21 Song Lam Nghe An won 1, drew 1 and lost 1 match. In addition, in mid-2023, most of the players of the U19 Song Lam Nghe An team also lost to coach Tanasijevie Stetislav's team in the 2023 National U19 final. Therefore, in this match, the Nghe team really wants to reclaim the previous debt.

It was quite favorable for U21 Song Lam Nghe An when the young star of the Vietnam Olympic team returned in time to join the official squad. Besides, Nguyen Van Bach and goalkeeper Van Viet, who are playing for the first team of Song Lam Nghe An, were both arranged to play from the start.

True to the nature of a Central Region “derby”, both teams showed great determination as soon as the opening whistle blew. U21 Song Lam Nghe An, despite playing away from home, took the initiative to control the game and attack.

In contrast, coach Tanasijevie Stetislav's team still played as usual, with fierce tackles and always adhering to a tight playing style, looking for counter-attack opportunities when conditions were favorable.

Meanwhile, on the side of U21 Song Lam Nghe An, with the quality addition of midfielder Dinh Xuan Tien, the play of the young team from Nghe An has increased the diversity in the attacking phases. Almost every attacking ball of U21 Song Lam Nghe An has gone through the feet of this midfielder wearing the number 10 shirt.

Although in the first half, U21 Song Lam Nghe An had many opportunities to score goals, on an unlucky day, the strikers could not find a way into Thanh Hoa's goal. Therefore, the first 45 minutes ended without either side finding the other's net.

Entering the second half, U21 Song Lam Nghe An showed their determination to end the match in 90 minutes by sending "young star" Ho Van Cuong and Vietnamese Olympic player Tran Nam Hai onto the field.

The appearance of Ho Van Cuong made the playing style of U21 Song Lam Nghe An more unpredictable. The combination of the duo born in 2003, Van Cuong - Xuan Tien, created many dangerous situations in front of U21 Thanh Hoa's goal. In the 72nd minute, it seemed like the score was 1-0 for U21 Song Lam Nghe An after a tricky shot by Dinh Xuan Tien, but the goalpost denied the goal.

However, the Nghe An audience did not have to wait too long to celebrate the home team's first goal. In the 77th minute, Ho Van Cuong dribbled the ball down the sideline, turned the ball back for Dinh Xuan Tien to successfully cushion the ball, breaking the deadlock for U21 Song Lam Nghe An. The value of the two U23 Vietnam players Ho Van Cuong and Dinh Xuan Tien spoke up at the right time to bring the opening goal 1-0 for the young Nghe An team.

Not stopping there, in the 83rd minute, another star of the Vietnam Olympic team, Tran Nam Hai, made a solo shot past 3 defenders of U21 Thanh Hoa, before firing a cannon shot, raising the score to 2-0 for U21 Song Lam Nghe An. In the final minutes of the match, midfielder Van Tung of Thanh Hoa drew a beautiful curve from a direct free kick, shortening the score to 1-2 for the home team.

However, with the final result of 2-1 in favor of Song Lam Nghe An, it was enough for this team to enter their name to play in the semi-finals.

Thus, U21 Nghe An will face U21 Hanoi in the second semi-final match, at 5:00 p.m. on September 29 at Thanh Hoa Stadium./.