HÀ NỘI — Sông Lam Nghệ An (SLNA) handed a drubbing at the hands of Thanh Hóa 0-4 in the semi-final’s second leg of the National Cup yesterday.

The game ended with the visitors winning by four goals to nil, easing into the final with a 6-3 aggregate result.

The game was held at Vinh Stadium in the central province of Nghệ An.

Earlier, Thanh Hóa lost to SLNA 2-3 in the first leg at Thanh Hóa Stadium.

SLNA were full of confidence after eight back to back wins in the V.League. After five weeks of rest, SLNA wanted to continue their undefeated run to reach the final of National Cup by utilising two midfielders Phan Văn Đức and Phạm Xuân Mạnh who had competed in the Asian Games (ASIAD) in Indonesia in which Việt Nam came to fourth place for the first time ever.

However, the poor play in both defence and attack rewarded the visitors with an easy win at the Vinh Stadium.

The current holders of the National Cup received an conceded in the 15th minute with a goal by Thanh Hoá’s midfielder Nguyễn Minh Tùng. The early loss affected the spirit of SLNA but they held on until the break.

In the second half goals from Pape Omar, Trọng Hoàng and Rimario sealed the win..

Mạnh and Đức, despite playing right from the beginning, could not contribute much as their physical strength had been exhausted after the Asian Games.,

Injury put an end to Đức’s contribution and he was forced off in the second half.

The aggregate loss 3-6 also ended their chances of a back to back final.

Meanwhile, Thanh Hoá will face the winner of the match between Bình Dương - Hà Nội FC to be held in October 3. — VNS