Xuân Son scores, Nam Dinh advances to the semifinals of the National Cup 2025/26

Green Steel Nam Dinh secured a 2-1 victory over SHB Da Nang in an intense quarter-final match, thereby officially qualifying for the semifinals of the National Cup 2025/26.

Playing at home, Da Nang started confidently and were ready to engage in an attacking duel with the higher-rated opponent. In the 7th minute, Duc Anh had a dangerous header from a corner situation, but the ball went over the crossbar. In response, Nam Dinh quickly retaliated with successive attacks from Xuân Son, yet could not convert them into goals.

The turning point of the match came in the 28th minute. From a corner kick on the right by To Van Vu, Akolo executed a tactical header allowing Xuân Son to rush in and finish close-range, opening the score for the visiting team. Just 10 minutes later, Nam Dinh continued to demonstrate efficiency in their attack. Ly Cong Hoang Anh broke through on the left flank before delivering a favorable cross for Akolo to easily tap in, raising the score to 2-0.

In the second half, Da Nang pushed their formation higher aiming to find a equalizing goal. In the 50th minute, Van Dat had a chance facing goalkeeper Van Toan but could not overcome the Nam Dinh keeper. The home team's efforts were finally rewarded in the 58th minute when Ribamar crossed for Phi Hoang to finish close-range, reducing the score to 1-2.

After scoring the goal, Da Nang played with heightened excitement and continuously pressured the opponent's goal. In the 75th minute, Brenner made an impressive dribble and unleashed a dangerous diagonal shot, but Van Toan made an excellent save for Nam Dinh.

The tension escalated to a climax during the added minutes. In the 91st minute, Hong Phuoc delivered a cross seemingly set for Phi Hoang to head in close-range, but the ball hit the crossbar, leaving the home players and fans regretful.

Ultimately, Green Steel Nam Dinh preserved a 2-1 victory over Da Nang, thereby securing a place in the semifinals of the National Cup 2025/26 after an emotionally charged and dramatic match that lasted until the final seconds.

90'+3: The match ends. Da Nang 1-2 Nam Dinh

91': NO GOAL!

Hong Phuoc crossed inside for Phi Hoang to rush forward and head close-range, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out.

75': Opportunity missed

Brenner, just after entering the field, had a dribbling situation, evaded Van Son's challenge and fired a diagonal shot, but goalkeeper Van Toan timely saved for Da Nang.

70': The home team rallies

After scoring the goal to narrow the deficit, Da Nang players are playing with heightened spirit.

58': GOAL!!!! The home team reduces the score

Ribamar crossed for Phi Hoang to tap in close-range, scoring against Nam Dinh.

55': NO GOAL

Phan Van Long made a favorable through pass for Ribamar to rush down and shoot, sending the ball slowly rolling toward the Nam Dinh goal.

50': NOT CONVERTED

Xuân Son made a through pass for Van Dat to rush down and face goalkeeper Van Toan. From a very narrow angle, Van Dat could not score.

45'+5: First half ends

The home team Da Nang started quite proactively and created several notable opportunities. However, given the disparity in level and strength, they could not resist for too long.

38': 2-0 for Green Steel Nam Dinh

Ly Cong Hoang Anh broke down the left flank extremely quickly and then provided a cross that couldn't be more favorable for Akolo to tap in close-range, raising the score to 2-0 for Nam Dinh.

28': GOAL!!! 1-0 for Nam Dinh

From a corner kick by To Van Vu, Akolo made a tactical header for Xuân Son to head in close-range, putting Nam Dinh ahead 1-0.

24': Xuân Son fouled

During an attacking move, Van Son from Da Nang committed a direct foul on Xuân Son. He immediately received a yellow card, and Nam Dinh was awarded a free kick. Xuân Son shot quite powerfully but the ball changed direction and went out.

15': NO PENALTY FOR THE HOME TEAM

Van Kien had a rather sensitive foul situation with a Da Nang player inside the box. The referee immediately called a penalty and VAR is checking.

However, after VAR review, the referee determined no penalty as it was a legitimate shoulder-to-shoulder situation.

10': NOT CONVERTED

Xuân Son chose a quite open position to unleash a header toward goalkeeper Van Toan's goal. However, the ball missed the post and went out.

7': Dangerous

From a corner, Duc Anh leaped to head close-range but the ball went too high over the goal.

3': NOT CONVERTED

Da Nang had an attacking advance when receiving Do Phi Long, but this player could not reach the ball. It was somewhat surprising that the home team was playing an attacking duel with the visiting team.

1': Match begins

Starting lineup

Da Nang vs Nam Dinh: What time and where to watch live?

• Time: 18:00 today, 18/3
• Location: Chi Lang Stadium, Da Nang
• Competition: Quarter-finals of the National Cup 2025/26
• Live on: F PT Play

To facilitate viewers' follow-up, we will update detailed developments and results of the match between Da Nang Club and Nam Dinh through this article.

Expected lineup Da Nang vs Nam Dinh

• Da Nang: Van Toan, Duc Anh, Duy Cuong, Van Son, Hong Phuc, Lopez, Anh Tuan, Van Huu, Milan Makaric, Ribamar, Minh Quang.
• Nam Dinh:Nguyen Manh, Van Vi, Lucas, Kevin Pham Ba, Van Toi, Hoang Anh, Caio Cesar, Percy Tau, Van Dat, Ti Phong, Xuân Son.

Analysis Da Nang vs Nam Dinh: Difficult for the home team

The match between SHB Da Nang and Green Steel Nam Dinh in the quarter-finals of the National Cup is assessed to have a quite clear disparity in both squad strength and current form.

Considering many aspects, SHB Da Nang is completely inferior compared to the opponent. The team on the Han River bank not only faces difficulties in squad strength but also has been in a slump for some time. Being in the bottom group, specifically the penultimate position in the V-League standings, forces them to prioritize survival in the league maximally.

In that context, coach Le Duc Tuan and his team likely will not commit full strength to the match against Nam Dinh. Because just days later, they will face CAHN in the V-League - a match far more important for their relegation battle. Saving energy, even rotating the lineup in the cup match, is a scenario that could entirely happen.

Conversely, Nam Dinh currently has favorable conditions aiming for victory. Possessing a squad rated superior, the Nam city team also has impressive form since Coach Vu Hong Viet returned to the coaching bench. Three consecutive victories not only improved Nam Dinh's record but also provided a significant morale boost.

In the context of having fewer opportunities in other competitions, the National Cup becomes a clear target for Nam Dinh to pursue a title. With high determination and stable form, they are likely to deploy their strongest lineup to decide the match early.

Overall, given the disparity in squad quality, form, and competitive objectives, the path to advancement is more open for Nam Dinh. If performing to their capability, the Nam city team can entirely achieve a convincing victory against an SHB Da Nang that likely will strategize for longer-term priorities.