Coach Vu Tien Thanh breathes a sigh of relief after his first victory with Ninh Binh Club.

Ninh Binh Club achieved an emotional 3-2 victory over PVF CAND Club to reach the semifinals of the 2025/26 National Cup, this outcome allowed Interim Coach Vu Tien Thanh to finally exhale.

"I am very happy because Ninh Binh has gone through a series of matches without knowing victory. How to relieve psychological pressure has always been a heavy burden.

The players performed with immense desire. PVF CAND is a good team and we anticipated this difficulty. Today's result is deserved to applaud them," Coach Vu Tien Thanh expressed enthusiastically in the post-match press conference.

Explaining why national team player Gia Hung started on the bench and scored after entering the field, Coach Vu Tien Thanh stated: "Gia Hung is a very promising forward. At that moment, bringing Gia Hung on was better. In the previous match he came on and scored, and this match was the same.

I was surprised to see the preliminary list announced and then not called up. Even when there was a list of five goalkeepers, I received the summons for Trung Kien from HAGL and wondered whether he would be included in the final list.

The players have worked hard and performed well; the coach can call up as many players as he wants, but no country does the style of calling up a preliminary list and then sending them back. The players would feel psychologically disappointed. I believe that approach should not be used."

Coach Vu Tien Thanh also did not forget to praise his former student Ly Duc, who now plays for PVF CAND: "Ly Duc is a warrior, playing very well and agilely. Without him, PVF CAND could have lost even more goals today."

By defeating PVF CAND Club 3-2, Ninh Binh Club becomes the third team, after Nam Dinh Club and Ho Chi Minh City Police Club, to reach the National Cup semifinals.

Coach Vu Tien Thanh and his team also rediscovered joy, securing their first win after a streak of five matches consisting only of draws and losses.

In the remaining quarter-final match, The Cong Viettel defeated Bac Ninh thanks to Lucao's goal, earning a ticket to the semifinals.

In the semifinal round on June 11, Ninh Binh Club will host The Cong Viettel at home. In the other semifinal match, Ho Chi Minh City Police will face Nam Dinh Steel Blue.