Sai Gon Port and Binh Dinh reach Emperor Cup semis
Both Pisico Binh Dinh and Southern Steel Sai Gon Port took semi-final berths in the Quang Trung Emperor Cup at Quy Nhon Stadium in central Binh Dinh…
Hosts Binh Dinh drew Huda Hue 1-1, while Southern Steel Sai Gon Port edged Nam Dinh 1-0 to get one step closer to the finals in Group A.
Binh Dinh, who had home advantage, were shocked by an early goal 30 minutes into the game when Hue striker Nguyen Van Trung footed a cross from his teammate into the net from close range.
After the break Binh Dinh”s coach, Duong Ngoc Hung, sent four key players onto the field to sustain the team”s offensive power.
Ten minutes from the last whistle, striker Washington shook off his mark Hue marker to sink teammate Van Dung”s cross into the net.
In an early match, Brazilian striker Elenildo De Jesus scored from a spot kick in the 64th minute to take his Southern team to the semis.
Khatoco Khanh Hoa, who crushed Binh Duong 4-2 in the Group B opener on Sunday, meet Dong Thap in the last of Group B”s matches today. Da Nang will play Binh Duong for a shot at the semi-finals.
The Emperor Cup, which has drawn eight teams competing in a round robin tournament with the two top teams from two groups going through to the semi-finals, serves as a useful warm up ahead of the V-League and First Division season, which starts next month.
VNS
