Khanh Hoa close on Cup semis berth
Khatoco Khanh Hoa are looking strong so far in the Quang Trung Emperor Football Cup.
After tying 1-1 with Da Nang on Tuesday in Binh Dinh, the southern team, ranked number one Group A, is almost assured a semi-final spot.
The team will play the already eliminated Dong Thap in the last group match while second place opponents, Da Nang, will take on Binh Duong in third place.
Binh Duong beat Dong Thap 1-0 in earlier on Tuesday.
Khanh Hoa and Da Nang played a fast-paced game.
It was Da Nang who took the lead just four minutes into the game. Le Quang Cuong made a brilliant play, kicking the ball across the field into the path of Jose Almeida, who then headed the ball into the far corner of the net.
But the central region team didn”t lead for long. Ten minutes later, defending duo, Pham Hung Dung and Australian Nathan, lost the ball to Nguyen Quang Hai. Making a fast play, Hai beat goalie Nguyen Thanh Binh to even up the game.
Khanh Hoa, coached by Le Huu Tuong, missed two goal opportunities by Mustapha Essuman and Hai 15 minutes into the second half.
Da Nang refuted with one attempt of their own. Luong Phuc headed the ball at close range, a shot that didn”t make it past the goalie.
Corner kick proves key
In the earlier match, Luong Trung Tuan scored Binh Duong”s winner after Nguyen Trung Vinh kicked the ball from the corner 27 minutes into the match.
Dong Thap couldn”t make up ground when captain Nguyen Van Ngan was kicked out of the game after fouling Brazilian Kesley Alves from behind nine minutes after the break.
Host team Binh Dinh have secured a semi-spot for Group B, with one match to go, scoring six points after two wins.
VNS
