HÀ NỘI — Quảng Ninh Coal made the final of the National Cup after their goalless draw against National Cup defending champions Becamex Bình Dương yesterday at the Cẩm Phả Stadium.

With an aggregate result of 1-1 after a two-legged tie, Quảng Ninh Coal are the team to enter the final as they scored a goal on Bình Dương’s ground on July 20.

In the other semi-final, former champions Hà Nội T&T defeated Quảng Nam 4-2. They went through to the final with the aggregate score of 7-5.

Cẩm Phả has always been a lucky ground for the hosts whenever they have entertained Becamex Bình Dương, and it was the same yesterday.

In the second leg match of the semi-final round, at least four chances by the visitors went waste for various reasons.

National three-time Golden Ball winner Lê Công Vinh wasted a penalty shootout at the 68th minute.

He beat goalkeeper Huỳnh Tuấn Linh, who faulted striker Ivan Firer in the box resulting in a penalty for Bình Dương, but his shot flew put after hitting the bar.

It was the third time the bar had stopped the shots from Bình Dương players.

Earlier, the national team forward made a banana-shaped free kick from 20m distance. The ball was far from Linh’s reach to the A corner and went wide.

Đặng Văn Thành also tried to open the score in the first half. He launched a solo run from the central area to near goalkeeper Linh’s area. His left-foot shot was strong and straight but again met the bar.

Just a minute after the interval midfielder Nguyễn Trọng Hoàng stole the ball and ran through to Linh’s area, but his finish sent the ball to the left pole.

Quảng Ninh also had several opportunities but some were inaccurate and some were blocked by keeper Trần Đức Cường.

In Hà Nội, midfielder Nguyễn Văn Quyết scored a double for Hà Nội T&T which was sandwiched by the opener of Phạm Văn Thành in the 17th minute, and Hoàng Vũ Samson, 25 minutes after the break.

Quảng Nam’s Brazilian Dos Reis R Claudecir also scored a double while Đinh Thanh Trung netted in the additional time.

The final match will be organised in a two-leg format.

In the first leg, Quảng Ninh Coal will welcome Hà Nội T&T at their holy land of Cẩm Phả on September 24.

The second leg match will be played five days later as Hà Nội T&T are the hosts at the Hàng Đẫy Stadium. — VNS