Dang Van Lam delivered a crucial penalty save, leading Phu Dong Ninh Binh to a quarterfinal berth in the National Cup after a hard-fought victory over Ba Ria Vung Tau.
Ninh Binh entered the Round of 16 match as the favorites, despite the absence of midfielder Nguyen Hoang Duc, who was rested by coach Nguyen Viet Thang. With a strong squad at his disposal, the coach opted not to include the ASEAN Cup 2024 standout in the lineup, giving him time to recover before resuming First Division play.
Ninh Binh started brightly, displaying their superiority early in the match. Pham Van Thanh opened the scoring for the visitors midway through the first half with a well-taken goal. However, Ba Ria Vung Tau, comprising a youthful lineup, held their composure and remained competitive.
In the second half, Ba Ria Vung Tau’s young forward Nguyen Hoang Chien stunned the visitors with a well-placed shot to beat Dang Van Lam, leveling the score at 1-1. Despite both teams’ efforts, no additional goals were scored during regular time, forcing the match into a penalty shootout.
The shootout began with Ninh Binh’s captain Dinh Thanh Binh confidently converting his kick, setting the tone for his teammates. Successive spot-kicks by Hai Duc, Duc Cuong, and Anh Quan maintained Ninh Binh’s perfect record.
Ba Ria Vung Tau managed to convert their first two attempts, with Bui Van Binh and Nguyen Quoc Hoang calmly finding the net. However, in the third round, young player Le Kha Duc (born in 2007) stepped up and aimed his shot toward the bottom right corner. Dang Van Lam, showcasing his experience and reflexes, dived expertly to make the save, turning the momentum in Ninh Binh’s favor.
Tragedy struck again for Ba Ria Vung Tau when Tran Dinh Bao’s attempt in the fourth round hit the crossbar, sealing their fate. Ninh Binh triumphed 4-2 in the shootout, thanks in large part to Van Lam’s heroics.
With this victory, Phu Dong Ninh Binh advances to the quarterfinals of the National Cup, where they will face Binh Duong away. This result not only highlights Van Lam’s pivotal role but also underscores Ninh Binh’s ambitions in the competition.
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