"Duet" Tuan Tai - Van Duc scored to bring SLNA into the semi-finals

Tuan Tai and Van Duc shine, SLNA eliminate SHB Da Nang from the National Cup

(Baonghean.vn) - At Vinh Stadium, meeting SHB Da Nang again in the second leg of the National Cup quarter-finals, Song Lam Nghe An did not encounter many difficulties against their opponents. With the brilliance of U23 star Phan Van Duc and the excellent players of the Nghe An team, they advanced to the semi-finals with a total score of 5-1.

With a 3-1 lead in the first leg, SLNA did not show any complacency when fielding their strongest lineup, but the away team SHB Da Nang unexpectedly left some key players such as Phan Duy Lam, Ha Duc Chinh and two foreign players Ewode Shristain and Pereira on the bench.

Although not really dominating the game, SHB Da Nang was the team that had the first chance. In the 6th minute, Ngoc Thang got past the SLNA defender, but his final shot was too gentle to trouble goalkeeper Phan Dinh Vu Hai.

The home team SLNA played slowly and leisurely but was the team to open the score. In the 14th minute, Pham Xuan Manh crossed the ball accurately from the left wing for Phan Van Duc to head in, leaving goalkeeper Thanh Binh with no chance to block.

Phan Van Duc celebrates his opening goal. Photo: Duc Anh

In the 21st minute, from a chaotic situation in SLNA's 16m50 box, Do Merlo launched a surprise shot. Goalkeeper Vu Hai stood rooted to the spot in this situation, fortunately the ball went just wide of the post.

In the 26th minute, SLNA had an answer from Tuan Tai. The SLNA striker charged down bravely but his final shot did not go as planned due to the fierce pursuit of center back Lam Anh Quang.

The next significant chance for the away team appeared in the 41st minute. Phan Van Long from outside the 16m50 box fired a powerful long-range shot that went wide of the post. The rest of the first half, both teams played rather poorly with too many bad passes. And the score of the first 45 minutes was 1-0 in favor of the Nghe team.

In the second half, SHB Da Nang pushed up their formation to find an equalizer, but SLNA's defense still played solidly and disciplined. Even a defender like Que Ngoc Hai enthusiastically joined the attack. In the 53rd minute, from a corner kick on the left wing, the SLNA captain made a technical volley, the ball went right to goalkeeper Thanh Binh and bounced out.

Ho Tuan Tai played with great effort. Photo: Duc Anh

The Nghe An team had many chances in the second half. However, SLNA's attack still showed wastefulness. In the 69th minute, Xuan Manh shot the ball against the Da Nang goal post and it went out, immediately after that Tuan Tai tried to finish but was unsuccessful.

Taking out two key players Ngoc Toan and Van Duc did not reduce SLNA's attacking power, but the ability to take advantage of opportunities was still a weakness of the home team. The most active player from the beginning of the match, foreign player Olaha Michael, continued to show his lack of luck in finishing. In the 79th minute, the Nigerian striker handled the ball very skillfully under the close supervision of the goalkeeper and defenders of Da Nang. However, the striker's shot went over the crossbar.

Even in the 90+2 minute, Olaha, facing goalkeeper Thanh Binh, still could not get a shot off. However, it is commendable for this player that he played very well as a team player. The light pass to Tuan Tai was a set-up move that helped the young SLNA striker double the gap for SLNA.

Ending the match with a 2-0 victory, SLNA officially entered the national cup semi-finals with a 5-1 victory after 2 matches. The opponent of coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his team is their neighbor FLC Thanh Hoa. The team defeated Binh Phuoc with a total score of 3-1.

After this match, SLNA moved early to Quang Nam to prepare for a difficult away trip against the defending champions in round 8 of V.League taking place on May 20 at Tam Ky stadium.

STARTING LINEUP

SLNA: Vu Hai, Xuan Thang, Dinh Hoang, Van Khanh, Ngoc Hai, Ngoc Toan, Xuan Manh, Khac Ngoc, Van Duc, Olaha, Tuan Tai

SHB Da Nang: Thanh Binh, Anh Quang, Van Long, Viet Anh, Nhat Tan, Van Thang, Minh Tam, Ngoc Thang, Trong Hoa, Van Long, Do Merlo

Results of the second leg of the quarter-finals of the 2018 National Cup

May 15:

Binh Phuoc Club 1-1FLC Thanh Hoa

Becamex Binh Duong3-1 Sanna Khanh Hoa BVN

Lam River Nghe An2-0 SHB Da Nang

Hanoi Club1-1 Hoang Anh Gia Lai

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Results of the first leg of the quarter-finals of the 2018 National Cup

Hoang Anh Gia Lai 2-2 Hanoi FC

Sanna Khanh Hoa BVN 0-1Becamex Binh Duong

FLC Thanh Hoa2-0 Binh Phuoc Club

SHB Da Nang 1-3Lam River Nghe An