Football

HÀ NỘI — Ivan Firer scored a hat-trick in his first match for Becamex Bình Dương as they beat Hoàng Anh Gia Lai 5-3 in the National Cup yesterday at Gò Đậu Stadium.

The Slovenian forward had signed a contract with Becamex Bình Dương last week after being fired by FLC Thanh Hóa who said the former player of the Europa League could not adjust to the football environment in Việt Nam.

Nsi Amougou, another foreigner for the team, scored a double within six minutes of the start.

Hoàng Anh Gia Lai’s replied with two goals by Nguyễn Phong Hồng Duy and Trần Minh Vương after Becamex Bình Dương’s Nguyễn Xuân Luân scored an own goal at the 18th minute.

With seven goals scored in the first half the two sides set up a record in the national tournament.

It was the second time in a row that Hoàng Anh Gia Lai suffered a defeat. Earlier, they lost 0-5 to the defending champions in the V. League last month.

In another match, Nam Định successfully held Hà Nội T&T to a goalless draw on their home turf in Thiên Trường Stadium.

Nam Định were moral victors, since they were a First Division team and at a much lower level compared to their premier league rivals, who have set themselves the target of taking home the National Cup, which is the only title they do not have in their collection.

Nam Định played a strong defence and blocked all the way leading to goalkeeper Đinh Quang Phán.

Both sides raised the tempo after the break and spiced up a crackling atmosphere with some fast-paced football.

However, all of their efforts were wasted on a hot afternoon where the temperature reached 41°Celsius.

At Lạch Tray, hosts Hải Phòng also had a disappointing 1-1 result against Quảng Nam.

Quảng Nam, who are at the bottom half of the V. League after the first leg, scored the opening goal through Diao Sadion just 19 minutes into the match.

Hải Phòng, who are on top of the league, however, had to chase the entire time and worked very hard before their Jamaican striker Andre Diego Fagan netted the equaliser four minutes before the final whistle.

Quảng Ninh Coal were tied 1-1 by visiting Long An on their Cẩm Phả Stadium in the last match of the quarter-finals.

Huỳnh Trần Đức Thịnh netted for the visitors with a powerful straight shot in the 38th minute, while Quảng Ninh’s striker Mạc Hồng Quân found goalkeeper Nguyễn Tiến Anh just eight minutes after the interval.

The second leg matches will be played on June 29. — VNS