Race to the ball: National U23 striker Nguyen Cong Phuong (right) vies for a ball against Ha Noi T&T's Cyrus Daneil Nicholas during a friendly match yesterday in Ha Noi. The U23s win 3-1. — VNS Photo Quang Thang

HA NOI (VNS) — Viet Nam's U-23 squad defeated the V.League 1 Ha Noi T&T 3-1 in a friendly match yesterday at the capital city's Hang Day Stadium.

This was the first test for the U-23s after a week of training together under coach Toshyia Miura.

Midfielder Pham Manh Hung and striker Le Thanh Binh scored one goal each before Nguyen Cong Phuong added a third goal to the tally for the U-23 squad during the last minute of the match.

Centreback Nguyen Van Bien pulled one back for T&T and opened the team's scorecard just six minutes into the game.

Oseni pulled one back for T&T a minute before the end of the first half.

Following Miura's request, the U-23s played rapidly and limited the ball touches. They also attacked from two wings, resulting in scores.

Hung opened the score just six minutes into the match. He converted a free kick into a goal that goalkeeper Nguyen Van Cong failed to stop.

The U-23s nearly scored the second goal some minutes later, but Vo Huy Toan's header found Cong's position and the goalie did not make any mistakes.

Toan was the player to watch in the team as he continued to test Cong's skills throughout the match, but it was not his day as he did not succeed at any time.

Bien levelled the result with a close-range header after several threats by T&T were countered.

Binh had reached 2-1 during the 60th minute. At that time, the midfielder perfectly chose the position to pick up the ball and headed to the left corner.

Substitute Phuong concluded the game 3-1 with a fine finish at the end of the match.

The U-23s will play their second friendly match on March 9 against Indonesia's U-23 at the My Dinh Stadium.

These friendly matches are in preparation for the qualifier for the Asian Football Confederation's U-23 Championship 2016 later this month in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. — VNS