>>> HAGL fight back to beat An Giang 2-1
Thanh Hoa FC, currently seventh in V.League 1, rested some key players and gave opportunities to second-team ones when playing away to Dak Lak FC, who are third in the First Division Tournament with nine points after five matches.
Such a decision forced Petrovic’s side to pay dearly. Forward Ngoc Anh got Dak Lak off the mark with a close-range header after only 13 minutes.
Do Xuan Thi doubled the hosts’ advantage a few minutes before halftime, converting the resulting penalty following a Thanh Hoa player’s handball in the box.
In the second half, manager Petrovic made some substitutions, seeking to turn things around, which, however, did not work. The guests even conceded a third goal in the 58th minute as forward Ngoc Lam shot past keeper Ba Son to seal an emphatic win for Dak Lak.
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Long An FC (in white) come from behind to beat V.League newbies Topenland Binh Dinh. (Photo: VPF)
At Quy Nhon Stadium, V.League 1 newbies Topenland Binh Dinh succumbed to an unexpected 1-2 defeat against Long An FC.
Dinh Tien Thanh put Binh Dinh in front after 55 minutes, only to see his efforts cancelled out by Cu Nguyen Khanh who scored an equaliser 12 minutes later.
With a few minutes left to go, Binh Dinh manager Nguyen Duc Thang decided to deploy goalkeeper Vu Tuyen Quang to prepare for the penalty shootout. However, his calculation ended up going array as Long An forward Phan Nhat Thanh Long stole the ball in midfield and netted a powerful long-range strike to knock the V.League 1 representative out of the National Cup.
Playing guest to Quang Nam FC, Saigon FC came from one goal behind to lead 2-1 thanks to Vo Nguyen Hoang’s 67th-minute effort. However, two successive goals within three minutes from Huu Son (77’) and Ha Minh Tuan (80’) helped Quang Nam FC see off their more decorated rivals with a 3-2 victory.
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Hai Phong FC (in red) are the only V.League 1 side to make it through to the National Cup's round of 16 on Saturday. (Photo: VPF)
Hai Phong FC were the only V.League 1 side to make it through to the National Cup's round of 16 on Saturday, playing out a goalless draw against Binh Phuoc FC in 90 minutes before winning the penalty shootout with a score of 4-3.
The remaining two matches of the National Cup qualification will take place today (April 25), with Phu Dong FC playing Hue FC and Khanh Hoa FC hosting Phu Tho FC.
