Hanoi and Binh Duong win last semi-final berths at National Cup 2019

Hanoi FC and Becamex Binh Duong secured the two last slots at the semi-finals of the 2019 Vietnamese National Cup, after respectively beating Nam Ha Pharma Nam Dinh FC and Sai Gon FC in the quarterfinals on late July 4.

Skipper Van Quyet (R) scores a brace to fire Hanoi FC to the semi-finals of the 2019 Vietnamese National Cup. (Photo: Hanoi FC)
Skipper Van Quyet (R) scores a brace to fire Hanoi FC to the semi-finals of the 2019 Vietnamese National Cup. (Photo: Hanoi FC)

>>> Quang Nam, Ho Chi Minh City FC book semi-final berths

The match at Thien Truong stadium, in Nam Dinh city, between hosts Nam Dinh and visitors Hanoi was full of drama. With great determination to win the Cup, the V.League’s reigning champions, Hanoi, exerted strong pressure on the home team's field immediately after the referee's first whistle.

However, Nam Dinh made a surprise as the team scored the opener in the third minute with Sy Minh's shot from 30m into the top corner of Hanoi FC’s goal.

The visitors pushed hard for the equaliser as they bombarded the goal of keeper Xuan Viet. After a series of efforts, captain Van Quyet found the net in the 15th minute, but the goal was ruled out due to offside.

In the 42nd minute, the skipper claimed the equaliser with a header. Shortly thereafter, in the injury time of the first half, Pape Omar received the ball from a teammate before firing a technical finish to net the second goal for Hanoi FC.

In the second half, Nam Dinh again levelled the score, at 2-2, thanks to Anh Quang’s goal in the 53rd minute. However, very shortly after, less than five minutes, Anh Quang’s handball gifted the visitors a penalty and Van Quyet stepped in to finish his brace from the spot kick, giving Hanoi a 3-2 lead.

Star Quang Hai scores Hanoi’s fourth goal. (Photo: Hanoi FC)

The visitors continued to move forward and national squad’s star Quang Hai scored Hanoi’s fourth goal, extending the score to 4-2 in the 62nd minute.

Nam Dinh made great efforts and narrowed the gap to 4-3 in the injury time, but it was too late and Hanoi wrapped up the game to seal their place in the semis.

In the last quarter-final match at Thong Nhat Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City the same day, hosts Saigon FC suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Becamex Binh Duong with a single goal by Pedro Augusto in the 78th minute.

After the quarter-finals, the four semi-finalists of Bamboo Airways National Cup 2019 remain determined as Binh Duong will meet Quang Nam while Hanoi FC are to face Ho Chi Minh City.