Việt Nam ousted from Asian U20 championship after big loss

Football

Vietnamese midfielder Bùi Thị Thương (centre) and captain Lê Thị Bảo Trâm (right) try to prevent captain Han Hong-Ryon of North Korea from taking the ball during their AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Group B match on March 7. Photo the-afc.com

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam was eliminated from the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup on March 7 after its second big loss in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The Southeast Asian representative could not surprise the 2007 winners North Korea, losing 0-6.

Suffering two defeats and conceding 16 goals in total, Việt Nam has no chance to go further in this continental event, although there is still one match ahead.

North Korea needed only three minute before opening the scoring.

Kim Song gyong’s free-kick was flicked into the back of the net by Chae Un-yong in the third minute.

Min Kyong jin made it 2-0 two minutes later, taking Chae’s cross from the right.

Pak Mi ryong scored a double while Vietnamese captain Lê Thị Bảo Trâm made an own goal to push North Korea to a 5-0 lead after 36 minutes.

Coach Ri Song ho decided to rest his key players for the last group round match. Jong Kum, Jon Ryong jong, Pak Hyo son and Choe Il son were put on the field in the second half.

Playing substitutes did not dampen the attacking prowess of North Korea as they increased their lead in the 52nd minute when Jon’s cross from the left was perfect for Hyon Jin hyang to score from close range.

In the 61st minute, North Korean captain Han Hong ryon was shown her second yellow card for a challenge on Hoàng Thị Ngọc Anh, having been booked in the first half for fouling Ngọc Minh Chuyên.

Supporters at Do'stlik Stadium cheer up the Việt Nam team. 

Playing with only 10 women was actually not a problem for North Korea, which kept launching attacks and made Vietnamese goalkeepers Lê Thị Thu busy.

In the other match of Group B, Japan defeated China 2-0 to book a semi-final spot with a match to spare.

Maya Hijikata and Suzu Amano scored one in each half of the match, which saw Japan apply heavy pressure on its rival most of time.

Defeat for China meant its hopes are hanging by a thread, with victory against Việt Nam needed on March 10, while North Korea will face Japan. VNS