Việt Nam tie with Thailand to top Group A at AFF U22 Cup

HA NOI — Viet Nam were held to a goalless draw with Thailand yesterday in the last qualifying match at the ASEAN Football Federation U22 Championship in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

But the 0-0 scoreline was enough to see both teams qualify for the semi-finals.

The two teams finished Group A with seven points each, although Viet Nam came out on top because of their superior goal difference.

Thailand will next take on the hosts Cambodia who topped Group B with six points in the semi-finals on February 24.

Viet Nam’s opponent will be Myanmar, Indonesia or Malaysia.

Despite Viet Nam and Thailand both failing to find the net, this was an attacking game from the off.

Nguyen Hung Thien Duc tested keeper Korraphat Nareechan from long range on 21 minutes but the Thai number one stood tall.

Le Xuan Tu beat the offside trap on 32 minutes finding Tran Duc Nam with a good pass but his effort was wasteful.

In the final minutes of the first half, the Thai team put pressure on Viet Nam but failed to break through their defence and create any real goal scoring opportunities.

After the break, Viet Nam continued to control the game but did have a scare on 55 minutes when Jedsadakorn  Kowngam found himself one on one with the Vietnamese keeper but his shot rattled the crossbar.

After that, Viet Nam repaid with a counter attack. Xuan Tu made goalie Nareechan commit an error and was forced to get a yellow card.

Tong Anh Ty had the chance to break the deadlock from a free-kick but failed to find the target.

Playing under a hot sun, both teams tired towards the end and struggled to keep up the pace. — VNS