HÀ NỘI — Quảng Ninh Coal tied Hà Nội T&T in a 4-4 match during the National Cup final, first leg, on Saturday at Cẩm Phả Stadium.

The ‘goal rain’ started at the 26th minute when Nguyễn Quang Hải of Hà Nội T&T made a solo drive to break into Quảng Ninh Coal’s defence and finished with a straight shot near the box.

However, the score was 1-1 just four minutes later due to national team debutant Nghiêm Xuân Tú, who sent a smart pass to Ngô Đức Thắng who gave the ball back to Nguyễn Hải Huy. Huy did not waste his chance.

Vũ Minh Tuấn was down in the Hà Nội T&T box after being awarded a penalty.

The national midfielder eased downfield to make the score 2-1 for host Quảng Ninh Coal.

Three minutes after the break, Hà Nội T&T leveled the score when Phạm Văn Thành scored.

The Hanoian players could only enjoy their equaliser for three minutes.

For Huy scored his doubles with an accurate tap-in, pushing Quảng Ninh ahead 3-2.

After another three minutes passed, Phạm Thành Lương scored the third goal for Hà Nội T&T, and the score was again equal.

Nguyễn Văn Quyết netted his goal at the 61st mark, and the score remained until near the end of the match.

However, Tuấn did not let Hà Nội T&T go home victorious.

He scored for the second time four minutes before the end.

The draw brought Hà Nội T&T into an advance position ahead of the second leg match on September 29.

The capital city representative team only needs a draw, as there are no more than four goals necessary for each side to take the cup. — VNS