45 difficult minutes for Viettel Sports Club
On the evening of January 11, in the 1/8 round of the 2024-2025 National Cup, the key match between Viettel The Cong Club and PVF-CAND took place at My Dinh Stadium. On a day when foreign soldiers were not used, coach Nguyen Duc Thang’s team could not create an overwhelming position against a first-class opponent. Coach Mauro Jeronimo also has some quality domestic players such as Nguyen Thanh Nhan, Nguyen Huy Hung, Nguyen Van Dung, Ryan Ha, Martin Lo. That’s why the two teams played relatively evenly.
The most notable situation of the first half took place in the 24th minute. Khuat Van Khang took a direct free kick near the PVF-CAND club’s penalty area, sending the ball over the fence and towards the far corner of the goal. . However, Phi Minh Long made an excellent save. On the other hand, PVF-CAND Club also created some dangerous opportunities, but the strikers were not sharp in their finishing.
Thanh Nhan (center) was called up to the Vietnam team under coach Philippe Troussier. He had a few situations that made it difficult for the defense of Viettel Sports Club
Phi Minh Long shined in the first half with an excellent save, preventing Van Khang from scoring a super goal but failed to beat Duc Chien on the penalty spot.
Unexpected turning point
In the second half, both Viettel Sports Club and PVF-CAND made personnel adjustments in attack. However, no team played outstandingly and the second half was relatively boring. The turning point of the match took place in the 75th minute when Tran Ngoc Son made a mistake by fouling Nham Manh Dung in a high ball dispute in the penalty area. The referee had a favorable viewing angle and immediately awarded Viettel Sports Club a penalty. From a distance of 11 meters, Nguyen Duc Chien deceived Phi Minh Long to open the score.
Duc Chien (No. 7) celebrates with his teammates
In the remaining minutes, PVF-CAND Club tried to attack in search of an equalizer. However, this team’s most notable opportunities were just long-range shots by Huynh Cong Den or Nguyen Thanh Nhan. However, that was not enough to help them get a goal.
Not only was PVF-CAND club unable to score goals, they also conceded more goals. Minute 90+3, after goalkeeper Minh Long rushed out to clear the ball from Nguyen Cong Phuong’s feet, Nham Manh Dung scored an accurate rebound, sealing a 2-0 victory for Viettel The Cong Club. With this result, coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his team entered the quarterfinals and will meet the winner of the match between HAGL and Binh Phuoc Club.
In the remaining match of January 11, SLNA won 1-0 against Da Nang Club thanks to a goal from Dinh Xuan Tien. The Nghe An team will face Hanoi or Dong Thap Club in the quarterfinals.
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