Binh Duong lift National Cup silverware
National Olympic team goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung handed Becamex Binh Duong their third National Cup trophy, with a pair of howlers gifting the southern side two goals en route to a 3-1 victory over FLC Thanh Hoa on October 15 at the central province of Quang Nam’s Tam Ky Stadium.
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Dung is in the national team for the upcoming Southeast Asian Football Federation championship, but his performance on October 15 will have done him no favours in his efforts to win the No 1 shirt.
Just 16 minutes into the game, Dung flapped at a cross from Binh Duong’s To Van Vu and pushed it into his own net at the near post. While it was deflected slightly by defender Xuan Hung, the keeper should have done better.
Things went from bad to worse for Thanh Hoa 20 minutes later, as after a long ball and a flick on, defender Dinh Dong was unable to control the ball, allowing Binh Duong midfielder Ho Sy Giap to finish brilliantly and secure a 2-0 lead.
Thanh Hoa struck back a minute before half-time, with striker Pape Omar coolly slotting into the net.
However, any hopes Thanh Hoa had of completing the comeback were snuffed out in the 65th minute, with Dung again at fault.
Receiving a dangerous pass from one of his defender’s, Dung managed to kick the ball straight into Vu and was stuck watching as it rolled into the net, ending his side’s hopes for their first ever triumph in the competition.
It was the third cup for Binh Duong after their wins in 1994 and 2015.
Dung will join the national team today as they fly to the Republic of Korea for a training camp to prepare for the regional tournament. His mistakes may cost his berth in Park Hang-seo’s first team.
His coach Nguyen Duc Thang said it was a big lesson for a young player like him. A final was a tough test and totally different from youth competitions.
On the other side, coach Tran Minh Chien hugged Dung after the game and said mistakes happened often in football. He hoped the goalie would stand up strong and continue contributing to the national team.
