The round of 16 of the National Cup 2017 took place at stadiums across the country over last weekend.

SHB DN’s hat-trick hero Merlo

SHB Da Nang had a surprise 5-1 home win over current V League second-placed FLC Thanh Hoa in last Saturday afternoon’s match at the city’s new Hoa Xuan Stadium in Cam Le District.

The home team made a confident start as they welcomed back their top striker Gaston Merlo and midfielder Vo Huy Toan from injuries. 

Argentinian striker Merlo opened the scoring with a powerful header near goal in the 38^th minute.  Five minutes later, Vo Huy Toan doubled the score for SHB DN with an accurate free kick into the goal.  Then, in the 55^th minute, Merlo scored the 3^rd goal for the home team. 

However, in the 68^th minute, FLC TH were awarded a penalty after SHB DN’s midfielder Ezequiel Britez handled the ball in the penalty area.  The penalty kick was successfully converted by striker Pape Omar Faye to narrow the gap to 3-1.

In the 85^th minute, Merlo completed his first hat-trick for SHB DN, and the score went to 4-1.  In the first minute of second-half stoppage time, second-half substitute Minh Tam scored the 5^th goal for SHB DN to make the final score 5-1.

In the other matches, Long An suffered a 0-2 home loss to Can Tho, whilst Quang Nam defeated Hai Phong 2-1 at home.  Quang Ninh had a 2-0 home win over Binh Phuoc, Binh Duong beat Viettel 3-2 at home.

Ho Chi Minh City, Sai Gon FC, and Song Lam Nghe An all made it through to the quarter-finals after penalty shootouts against Sanna Khanh Hoa, Hoang Anh Gia Lai and Ha Noi respectively.

The first and second legs of the quarter-finals will take place at stadiums across the country on 16 and 20 June respectively.  The matches will be: Quang Ninh v SHB DN, Sai Gon FC v Binh Duong, Song Lam Nghe An v Ho Chi Minh City, and Can Tho v Quang Nam.