Viet Nam News
HA NOI — Viet Nam got off to a good start in a comprehensive 6-0 victory over Brunei in their opening match in Group K of the 2020 AFC U23 Championship qualifying round yesterday.
The match was held at the Ha Noi’s My Dinh National Stadium.
The hosts entered the game with confidence and quickly controlled the tempo.
Just 11 minutes in, after receiving a spectacular pass from Do Thanh Thinh, Ha Duc Chinh headed in the opener for Viet Nam.
Seven minutes later, Nguyen Hoang Duc had a glorious opportunity to widen the lead after receiving a pass from Truong Van Thai Quy but skewed his effort wide.
Viet Nam’s attacking efforts soon paid off with a goal from Nguyen Thanh Chung in the 24th minute.
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| Nguyen Thanh Chung (No 16) celebrates during the match between Viet Nam and Brunei in Group K of the 2020 AFC U23 Championship qualifying round yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo |
Following a pass from Trieu Viet Hung, Huynh Tan Sinh put his header past Brunei’s goalkeeper Muhammad Asmin, only for it to be stopped by the crossbar. But Chung was lurking nearby to get on the rebound and double the score for Viet Nam.
A series of attacks by Viet Nam followed, but Asmin managed to keep his team in the game. Before the first half ended, Thanh Binh raised the score to 3-0 for the hosts.
After the break, Viet Nam continued to dominate. Coach Park Hang-seo decided to change his attacking line-up, replacing Chinh with Nguyen Quang Hai.
Within just 15 minutes of the restart, Viet Nam widened the lead once again. Hai moved skillfully into the penalty area before passing the ball to Viet Hung, who raised the score to 4-0.
The visiting tried to respond but their efforts missed the mark.
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| Ha Duc Chinh (No 18) seen in the match between Viet Nam and Brunei in Group K of the 2020 AFC U23 Championship qualifying round yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo |
In the 75th minute, Hai was fouled by defender Muhammad Aminuddin, winning a penalty for Viet Nam. Huynh Tan Sinh put his name on the scoresheet easily from the ensuing spot kick.
In the dying minutes, Viet Nam scored their sixth goal from another penalty. Duc was pushed to the ground in the penalty area and Hai took the chance to finish the match of 6-0.
In the other Group K match, Thailand thrashed Indonesia 4-0 as they opened their qualifier campaign in impressive fashion.
Viet Nam, runners-up at the previous tournament, are hosting Group the group.
Viet Nam will take on Indonesia on March 24 and Thailand on March 26. There are 44 teams taking part in the qualifying round’s 11 groups. The teams that top their groups and the four best second-placed ones will qualify for the finals, with hosts Thailand taking an automatic berth. — VNS