National Cup 2021: Song Lam Nghe An and Hanoi in the same bracket

Football tournamentNational Cup 2021with the participation of 27 clubs (14 representatives from V.League 2021 and 13 representatives from First Division 2021). Accordingly, 5 teams including Quang Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City, Viettel, Hanoi, Nam Dinh are seeded and go straight to the round of 16.

The opening match of the 2021 National Cup is the confrontation between Binh Dinh and Long An (Quy Nhon Stadium). The winner of this match will face Than Quang Ninh in the next round. Not having to participate in the qualifying round, the defending champions Hanoi will wait for the winner of the match between SLNA and Pho Hien in the next round. In case of overcoming Pho Hien and Hanoi, SLNA will face Nam Dinh in the Quarterfinals in their bracket.

In the bracket with Viettel, this can be considered a difficult bracket with the presence of V.League representatives and elite teams of the First Division. HAGL Club will have the opportunity to pass the qualifying round when meeting An Giang. However, even if they pass the qualifying round, in the round of 16, their opponent will be the winner of the match between Ba Ria - Vung Tau and Da Nang. Viettel Club - the current V.League champion will meet the winner of the match between Hai Phong and Binh Phuoc.

Both Hanoi and SLNA faced difficulties in V.Lague 2021 but could meet each other in the National Cup. Photo: HNFC

On the opposite side, Than Quang Ninh's bracket is considered quite easy when there are mid-level teams such as Phu Dong, Hue, Can Tho. In the remaining bracket, Lee Nguyen and his teammates at Ho Chi Minh City Club will meet the winner of the pair Hong Linh Ha Tinh and CAND. The opportunity for the Thong Nhat Stadium team to enter the Quarterfinals is positive. Meanwhile, the remaining matches of the qualifying round include Saigon Club meeting Quang Nam, Dak Lak facing Thanh Hoa.

In the past, SLNA won the National Cup 3 times in 2002; 2010; 2017. However, in 2018, the Nghe An team under the leadership of coach Nguyen Duc Thang had to stop at the semi-finals after leading 3-2 in the first leg and losing 0-4 in the second leg against Thanh Hoa Club. In 2019, SLNA also could not make it to the quarter-finals after losing to Quang Nam on penalties in a regretful manner.

The performance of coach Ngo Quang Truong and his team at the National Cup in 2020 was even more unacceptable. Also on penalties after a 1-1 draw, Phan Van Duc and his teammates were eliminated by a representative from the First Division,Ba Ria - Vung Tau Club.

Song Lam Nghe An Club won the 2017 National Cup with quality players in the squad. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Compared to the previous squad quality, the Nghe An team has also significantly decreased in strength, especially the quality of the midfield. The proof is that coach Ngo Quang Truong and his team have not been able to win in the last 3 matches atV.League 2021. Including 2 losses against HAGL and Saigon FC. This poor performance will most likely affect the team's ambitions in the National Cup.

According to initial assessment, SLNA will not have much difficulty in overcoming Pho Hien Club. However, Hanoi Club is very difficult to defeat when they have stabilized their force. With many young players in the squad, this will certainly be an opportunity for SLNA's coaching staff to use reserve players. From there, helping them gain more experience for the V.League arena. The most important task for SLNA at this time is to find the first victories in the National Championship and hope to be in the group of 6 strongest teams.

The 2021 National Cup is scheduled to start from April 9 to September 30. According to the regulations, the 2021 National Cup champion will receive a prize of 1 billion VND, the second-placed club will receive a prize of 500 million VND, and the third-placed club will receive a prize of 200 million VND. Currently, SLNA and B. Binh Duong are still the teams with the most championships with 3 times.

How many chances does Song Lam Nghe An have left in V.League 2021?

(Baonghean.vn) - After 3 matches, Song Lam Nghe An team has 10 matches left to keep their hope of being in the group of 6 teams. In the past, the Nghe An team often started slowly compared to their opponents.