Losing to SHB Da Nang, Song Lam Nghe An stopped at the 1/8 round of the National Cup

The 1/8 round of the 2025/26 National Cup at Vinh Stadium witnessed the confrontation between Song Lam Nghe An and SHB Da Nang in the context of two teams with completely different mindsets. The Nghe team has just regained their excitement after an important victory in the V.League, while Da Nang is still struggling at the bottom of the table and is under a lot of pressure from the relegation race.

It can be said that Song Lam Nghe An entered the round of 16 with a rather comfortable mentality thanks to the recent victory in V.League. This result helps the Nghe An team temporarily rise to a safer position in the race to avoid 1.5 relegation spots, at the same time, helping coach Van Sy Son temporarily relieve the pressure since returning to lead his hometown team. SLNA certainly wants to continue to maintain the momentum of excitement to create more motivation for the road ahead, especially in the context that the whole team is trying to overcome difficulties in terms of force and performance.

Besides the mental factor, the match at the National Cup is also an opportunity for SLNA to test some positions in the squad. Coach Van Sy Son continues to maintain the familiar 4-4-2 formation with a defense of 4 defenders: Vuong Van Huy, Le Van Thanh, Hoang Van Khanh and Ho Van Cuong. The midfield is assigned to 4 players: Phan Ba ​​Quyen, Ho Khac Ngoc, Enrique and Tran Manh Quynh, while Dale Moore and Olaha continue to play together in attack.

With the goal of winning and reaching the quarter-finals, SLNA entered the game proactively, pushing up their formation early to put pressure on the opponent's goal. The confidence built up from the previous round helped the Vinh home team play more freely, aiming to extend their positive performance in the cup arena.

Song Lam Nghe An took the initiative, pressing high from the very first minutes. However, they were unexpectedly conceded an early goal in the 6th minute. From a strong breakthrough in the middle, Dang Tuan Anh dribbled past SLNA defenders and then made a delicate shot, opening the score 1-0 for the away team.

After conceding the goal, SLNA immediately pushed up their formation to find an equalizer. In the 9th minute, the Vinh home team created the first dangerous opportunity with an attack on the right wing. Enrique changed the direction of attack and passed the ball to Ho Van Cuong. This midfielder made a very uncomfortable cross but Manh Quynh could not get the desired touch, missing the chance to equalize the score.

In the following minutes, SLNA continued to exploit the right wing, where Ho Van Cuong and Phan Ba ​​Quyen had many good coordination. Besides, Olaha's attacks also helped the home team create many notable situations. Most notably, in the 25th minute, when Ho Van Cuong ran down after a through ball from his teammate, but his cross for Olaha could not get past the Da Nang defense.

Despite many attacks but not scoring, SLNA had to pay the price. In the 28th minute, from a lightning counter-attack, Henen David Boris used his speed to overcome Le Van Thanh's tackle and then crossed the ball easily for Milan Makaric to finish, raising the score to 2-0 for SHB Da Nang.

Conceding the second goal, SLNA put all their efforts into finding a goal to reduce the score. The team continuously created combinations on both sides, especially crosses from Vuong Van Huy and Ho Van Cuong, but their teammates inside continuously missed. In the 39th minute, Olaha had a very favorable opportunity when receiving the ball in an open position in the middle of the penalty area, but his one-touch shot went right to goalkeeper Van Bieu.

In the second half, SLNA continued to push up their formation to put pressure. In the 48th minute, from a cross from his teammate on the left wing, Olaha tried to control the ball and quickly shot, but the ball went right to the goalkeeper so he could not score.

In the 55th minute, SLNA's troubles became more serious when striker Dale Moore was sent off after a collision with a SHB Da Nang defender. Playing with one less player, the home team faced more challenges in finding an equalizer.

However, SLNA did not give up. Continuous attacks were created, but Olaha and Khac Ngoc's shots could not beat goalkeeper Van Bieu. In the 71st minute, Olaha turned and shot beautifully in the penalty area but the ball hit the crossbar and bounced out. Immediately after, Manh Quynh rushed in to head the ball but unfortunately it went wide of the goal.

After much pressure, Da Nang's defense finally made a mistake by letting the ball touch their hands in the penalty area. The referee awarded SLNA a penalty and Olaha easily defeated Van Bieu to reduce the score to 1-2.

Continuing the momentum, SLNA put pressure on their opponents. In the 86th minute, Quang Vinh fired a powerful long-range shot right outside the penalty area, forcing goalkeeper Van Bieu to work hard to block it.

However, in the 88th minute, from a sharp counter-attack, his teammate passed the ball smoothly for Dinh Duy to run down to face the goalkeeper and gently finish, raising the score to 3-1 for SHB Da Nang.

But just 1 minute later, SLNA rekindled hope when Olaha handled the ball skillfully in the penalty area and then fired a decisive shot, shortening the score to 2-3.

In the remaining minutes, SLNA tried their best to attack to find an equalizer, but all opportunities passed in regret. The match ended with a 3-2 victory for SHB Da Nang, meaning Song Lam Nghe An stopped at the 1/8 round of the 2025/26 National Cup.