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| Top player: Striker Nguyen Cong Phuong celebrates his only goal to help Viet Nam Olympic team beat Bahrain 1-0 in the last 16 of the men’s football at the Asian Games in Indonesia on Thursday. — VNA/VNS Photo Hoang Linh |
Viet Nam News
Asian Games
HA NOI — The Viet Nam Olympic team defeated Bahrain 1-0 in the last 16 of the men’s football at the Asian Games (ASIAD) 2018 in Indonesia on Thursday evening. Striker Nguyen Cong Phuong shone in the 87th minute to help Viet Nam enter the event’s quarter-finals for the first time ever.
Viet Nam played with confidence from the referee’s first whistle. After receiving a pass from striker Nguyen Van Quyet in the fifth minute, midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai nearly managed to score the opener for Viet Nam but hit the crossbar.
Bahrain also played actively and created several dangerous situations around Vietnamese Dung’s goal.
In the 23rd minute, Bughammar Ahmed beat goalie Bui Tien Dung but it was decided that the goal came from an offside position, and thus was disallowed.
In the 38th minute, goalie Dung managed a stunning save following a shot by Marhoon Mohammed.
However, Bahrain’s midfielder Ahmed Sanad was issued a red card in the 42nd minute after a rough tackle against midfielder Vu Van Thanh.
In the second half, Viet Nam continued controlling the game. Vietnamese head coach Park Hang-seo changed his tactics and players to seek goals but the team were still unable to capitalise on opportunities.
After missing many chances, Phuong fulfilled Viet Nam’s dream with a goal in the 87th minute after collecting the ball from the right flank and finding the back of the net with a powerful shot.
Earlier, Bahrain qualified for the last 16 as one of the third-placed teams of Group F, while Viet Nam secured three wins to top Group D.
Viet Nam will meet Syria in the next match on August 27. — VNS
OVietnam