VietNamNet Bridge – Becamex Binh Duong players will have an extra monetary incentive driving them on in the second leg of the National Cup final today at Vinh Stadium in Nghe An Province.

Becamex Binh Duong players (in blue) in a V.League against Thanh Hoa on November 25. Binh Duong will play Song Lam Nghe An in the second leg match of the National Cup final today. — VNS Photo Tuan Tu

Coach Tran Binh Su and his players will share VND2 billion (US$90,000) if they overturn a 2-1 deficit from Song Lam Nghe An from the first leg a few weeks ago.

 “A purse of VND2 billion is prepared for delivery to the players if they can come from behind to win this cup,” said Le Hong Cuong, general director of Binh Duong Football Joint Stock Company.

“We could not say anything prior to the match. I think that Binh Duong still have a chance although we lost on our home turf last match. We beat Song Lam Nghe An 2-0 on their ground previously. This is one reason that makes us believe we can fight back on Thursday,” said Cuong.

“The whole team are united. We are determined to beat them.”

Cuong said that his team, including the V.League 1’s top scorer Nguyen Anh Duc, were in top form. Striker Duc topped the scoring charts with 17 goals this season.

However Cường said there were also challenges as their foreign players had not recovered from injury while some young players were busy with the current National U21 Championship.

Three-time V.League 1 champions Bình Dương have struggled since their last title in 2015. The team finished 10th in 2016 and just 11th of the 14 teams this year.

It is the first time in two years they have reached a final.

Song Lam Nghe An are in pole situation after their first leg win and will play at home in front of their rabid supporters.

Song Lam Nghe An have collected 37 trophies in their 38 year history and finished eighth in the league this year.

The top club in Viet Nam in terms of silverware will secure their fourth National Cup with a victory.

The team have not won any tournament since their last V.League 1 victory in 2011. They last took the National Cup in 2010.

The hosts have prepared well for the match, resting their top players on the bench during the last round of the V.League 1 last Saturday.

All of their squad such as striker Tran Phi Son, goalkeeper Tran Nguyen Manh and Nigerian Michael Olaha are in good form, according to coach Nguyen Duc Thang.

“Despite playing at our place we will have challenges as Binh Duong will present their strongest line-up. We must forget our first leg win and focus for this one,” said Thang.

The match will begin at 5pm and live aired live on VTV6. 

Source: VNS