SHB Da Nang missed a golden opportunity to win the 2013 National Cup after a disappointing 6-5 penalty shoot-out defeat to Ninh Binh (NB) in yesterday’s final of the National Cup 2013 at the Chi Lang Stadium.

As in their other matches against NB, the local team took control of the game from the beginning and created many chances to score.  However, NB used effective defensive and counter-attack strategies.

Unluckily, the home side missed all their early scoring chances.  In particular, midfielder Minh Tam and striker Merlo failed to open the scoring in the 10^th and 11^th minutes.        

SHB DN’s striker Merlo with the ball

In the 59^th minute, Anh Tuan scored for the visitors after latching on to an accurate pass from striker Moussa.  NB’s goalkeeper Manh Dung made his mark in the game by saving shots from SHB DN’s Minh Tuan in the 47^th minute, second-half substitute Quach Tan in the 54^th, and Merlo in the 77^th to keep the score at 1-0 to the visitors.   

Finally, thanks to adjustments to SHB DN's counter-attacking tactics in the second-half, striker Merlo dramatically levelled the score in the very last minute of second-half stoppage time.  This took the game to a penalty shoot-out, which NB eventually won 6-5 to become the National Cup 2013 champions.