In round 1/8, The Cong Viettel had a 2-0 victory over PVF-CAND, while Hoang Anh Gia Lai struggled to overcome Truong Tuoi Binh Phuoc after a penalty shootout.
Both The Cong Viettel and Hoang Anh Gia Lai have many players wearing the Vietnam national team jersey, in the recent training session. Therefore, fans hope that both teams will field their strongest squads in the upcoming match.
In terms of performance, The Cong Viettel is being rated higher. Coach Nguyen Duc Thang's team is currently in 2nd place in the V.League, competing fiercely for the championship. They have won 4, drawn 1 and lost 2 of their last 7 matches.
On the contrary, Hoang Anh Gia Lai has not won in the last 5 matches. In this series of matches, the team from the mountain town lost 1-2 to The Cong Viettel on February 8. With high performance and home advantage, coach Nguyen Duc Thang's team can completely repeat the victory as in the V.League to advance to the semi-finals of the National Cup.
Meanwhile, Binh Duong will meet Phu Dong Ninh Binh. According to the regulations of the National Cup, Binh Duong will not be allowed to use foreign players when meeting a lower-ranked team. This will affect the strength of the team from the land of Thu.
Phu Dong Ninh Binh is a team that is not easy to play for, as they are on a streak of 11 consecutive wins in the First Division. Coach Nguyen Viet Thang's team currently owns a series of quality players such as Hoang Duc, Van Lam, Huu Tuan, Dinh Thanh Binh...
With a relaxed mentality, Phu Dong Ninh Binh can completely create a surprise against Binh Duong.
In another quarter-final match, Song Lam Nghe An will meet the lower-level team Dong Thap. In the round of 16, Dong Thap caused a big surprise when defeating Hanoi FC right at Hang Day Stadium, while Song Lam Nghe An beat Da Nang 1-0 at home.
In terms of strength, Song Lam Nghe An is rated much higher than its opponent. They are also playing at home, but with the relegation battle, the Nghe An team may not be able to focus all their efforts on the National Cup.
The remaining quarter-final match will take place between Hai Phong vs. Hanoi Police, however, this match will be played late on April 22.
