VietNamNet Bridge – Becamex Binh Duong edged past Sai Gon Xuan Thanh (SGXT) 1-0 in an all-Vietnamese semi-final to reach the final of the 2011 Binh Duong Television international football tournament.

Striker Nguyen Anh Duc scored the only goal of the match with a free kick just outside the penalty area four minutes into the second half.

Binh Duong will meet Matsubara of Brazil in the final tomorrow. Binh Duong stand a good chance of winning their fourth title in the 12-year competition while Matsubara hope for their second trophy in seven showings at the tournament.

The Brazilians overcame SC Villa of Uganda 5-2 in a penalty shoot-out after neither team scored during regulation time in a balanced game which saw few opportunities for either team to take the match.

Binh Duong and SGXT began their match with caution but Binh Duong gradually gained control and in the 8th minute an exciting run by Huynh Quang Thanh and Nguyen Vu Phong in a race down the right flank looked promising before it was squared off to Philani but the shot was unfortunately off target.

Philani, Phong and Duc created a lot of difficulty for SGXT, who were focused more on defence than pursuing attacks, and created some good opportunities. However Phong and Philani failed to convert, with shots that were either off target or saved by SGXT's keeper Nguyen Minh Nhut.

SGXT sped up their game in the second half in search of the equaliser but they were never close enough to take the clear-cut chance they wanted. Binh Duong had more chances to score in the second half than the first but a poor performance at the end prevented them from walking away with a comfortable win.

SGXT will play against SC Villa in the third-placed match ahead the final.

The winners will pocket $20,000, the runners-up US$10,000 and the third place team will walk away with $5,000.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News