National Cup Quarterfinals: Losing narrowly, SLNA sadly watched its opponent enter the semi-finals

(Baonghean.vn) - Two new recruits of Song Lam Nghe An were on the field from the start. But neither of them left a clear impression.Losing 2-1 at home to the rich team Becamex Binh Duong, SLNA had to stop at the quarter-finals of the Kienlongbank National Cup.

Before entering the match between the home team Song Lam Nghe An and Becamex Binh Duong, in the round of 16 at Binh Duong Stadium, the team from Thu Dau Mot had a convincing victory over the team QNK Quang Nam with a score of 3-1. Meanwhile, the home team SLNA also had a resounding victory over the "underdog" team Dak Lak with a score of 3-0. In this match, coach Quang Truong's team, although fielding the B team, had no difficulty in achieving a resounding victory over the opponent from the Central Highlands.

Quite a number of Nghe An fans came to Vinh Stadium to watch this match this afternoon (April 24) to see the debut of two new recruits Ouattara and Haruna that SLNA has just recruited. Both of these tall foreign players play in the striker position.

Phi Son dribbled past many Binh Duong defenders before shooting towards goalkeeper Esele's goal.

Back to the 90 minutes of this match. With the absence of key players such as Hoang Thinh, Tan Tai, Nguyen Manh who are recovering from injuries. Coach Ngo Quang Truong of Song Lam Nghe An fielded what is considered the strongest lineup at the moment. Phi Son and Quang Tinh are responsible for creating the ball for the two new players Ouattara and Haruna. Manh Hung and Minh Duc are still the last stoppers of the Nghe An team.

On Binh Duong's side, Mr. Mai Duc Chung also sent out key players such as Phuoc Tu, Trong Hoang, Cong Vinh, Abass, Oloya Moses...

Song Lam played quite cautiously from the start. The Nghe An team actively played defensive counter-attacks. Many passes from Song Lam's home field found the two tall players Ouattara and Haruna in the forward line. Many times, the new striker pair of Song Lam caused difficulties for the opponent's defense.

Receiving the ball from a pass from rookie Ouattara

After many not-so-dangerous attacks by Binh Duong. In the 16th minute, from Abass's dribble on the right wing, the ball was flipped to striker Anh Duc, who headed the ball past goalkeeper Duc Cuong of Song Lam, putting Binh Duong ahead with a score of 1-0.

Conceding an early goal, Song Lam players tried to push forward to find an equalizer. The ball was deployed on the left wing in the direction of Song Lam's attack. Phi Son, with his technical ability, had many skillful dribbles but were all blocked by Binh Duong's defense.

With his tall physique, new player Haruna Abdul of Song Lam causes many difficulties for Binh Duong defenders.

In the 30th minute, Phi Son had a strong dribble from the middle of the field, then cut the ball with the inside of his right foot but the ball missed Binh Duong's goal by a hair. After that, SLNA players continuously attacked the goal, but luck did not come to the Nghe An team. Playing quite energetically, the rookie pair Ouattara and Haruna did not leave much of an impression in the first half. At the end of the first half, Becamex Binh Duong temporarily led the home team Song Lam with a score of 1-0.

Audience celebrates after SLNA's equalizer

The second half had not even lasted 5 minutes when, from Dinh Dong's hard-fought dribble on the left wing, a Binh Duong defender was forced to commit a foul in the penalty area, and the referee awarded SLNA a penalty kick. On the penalty spot, captain Quang Tinh calmly kicked the ball past the B.Binh Duong goalkeeper, equalizing the score 1-1 for SLNA.

Manh Hung's foul in the penalty area led to a penalty for Binh Duong.

Just a few minutes later, from a dribble in the penalty area by striker Anh Duc, this player had a beautiful fall when defender Manh Hung just touched him. Due to not observing carefully, the referee awarded B.Binh Duong a penalty. From the 11m penalty spot, striker Abass raised the score to 2-1 for Becamex Binh Duong.

Players' reactions after the referee's decision to award Binh Duong a penalty

Cong Vinh and teammates celebrate after Binh Duong's goal increased the score to 2-1.

After conceding the goal, coach Quang Truong instructed his players to play higher up the pitch in search of an equalizer. Phi Son was still the player who sparked the dangerous attacks of the Nghe An team.

On Binh Duong's side, the triangle coordination between the three players Trong Hoang, Cong Vinh, and Abass many times put Song Lam's defense in a surprising position.

Song Lam players are still diligently looking for opportunities, the two foreign players of the Nghe An team are given many balls by their teammates, but the handling of these two players is not sharp enough to defeat Binh Duong's defense.

The match ended with a score of 2-1 in favor of Becamex Binh Duong. Once again, Song Lam Nghe An lost to the team from Thu Dau Mot and stopped at the quarter-finals.

Duc Anh - Ngoc Quy