On the afternoon of July 7, Nguyen Quoc Viet became the hero for HAGL as he scored the only goal of the match, securing a 1-0 victory against Binh Duong Club in the 1/8 round of the 2023 National Cup at Pleiku Stadium.
Quoc Viet was not included in the starting lineup but made a significant impact when he entered the field in the second half. In the 90th minute, he showcased his skills and finished decisively with his left foot, securing the win for HAGL.
The first half of the match was tightly contested, with few opportunities for both teams. The most notable moment came from Dinh Thanh Binh, who found the net but was ruled offside.
HAGL faced challenges in their attacking power due to personnel issues. Chau Ngoc Quang, an attacking midfielder, had to play as a left-back, limiting his ability to showcase his strengths such as entering the penalty area and taking long-range shots. His left-footed crosses lacked accuracy.
The second half saw little change in the game's dynamics. Binh Duong Club improved their performance after introducing young strikers Bui Vi Hao and Nguyen Tran Viet Cuong, who added speed and created notable counter-attacks.
However, luck was not on the side of the visitors. In the 89th minute, Viet Cuong's powerful long shot beat goalkeeper Huynh Tuan Linh but hit the crossbar. Just a minute later, HAGL scored the decisive goal through the efforts of Quoc Viet.
With this victory, HAGL secured a spot in the quarterfinals of the National Cup 2023. They will face PVF-CAND, who defeated Phu Tho 2-0 with goals from Pham Gia Hung and Nguyen Thanh Nhan.
Following the match, coach Kiatisuk Senamuang discussed Quoc Viet's future, stating, "His substitution was part of the team's plan for this season. Young players will have their opportunities at the right time. In this match, Quoc Viet scored a crucial goal to help the team secure a win, similar to the match against Viettel."
