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| Viet Nam (in red) vs the Philippines in the first match of Group A of the AFF U22 Youth Championship in Cambodia on Sunday. Viet Nam beat the Philippines 2-1. — VNA/VNS Photo |
Viet Nam News
HA NOI — Viet Nam came from behind to beat the Philippines 2-1 in the first match of Group A of the 2019 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) U22 Youth Championship in Cambodia on Sunday.
Viet Nam dominated the game from the opening whistle but struggled to break down the Philippines’ defence.
The Vietnamese side created several chances to score the opener but Le Xuan Tu, Tran Bao Toan, Le Van Xuan and Nguyen Huu Thang all missed.
After the break, Viet Nam had to pay the price for the host of missed chances as Christian Lapas opened the scoring for the Philippines in the 51st minute.
The Golden Dragons fought back from there, and equalised in the 74th minute through Tran Danh Trung.
Only four minutes later, striker Le Minh Binh popped up with the winner, justifying coach Nguyen Quoc Tuan’s decision to bring him on as a substitute.
Young ace Binh plays his club football for Hoang Anh Gia Lai and is expected to replace star national team striker Nguyen Cong Phuong, who has been loaned out to K League club Incheon United.
Viet Nam will next face Timor Leste tomorrow and Thailand two days later. It is the first time a championship has been organised for U22s in the region. — VNS
OVietnam