Tough lesson: Viet Nam's U19s failed to find their way past Japan in the ongoing football tournament in HCM City. — VNA/VNS Photo Quang Nhut

HA NOI (VNS)— Japan trounced host Viet Nam 7-0 during the second round match of an international under-19 football tournament, the Nutifood Cup, held at the HCM City's Thong Nhat Stadium yesterday.

Although both sides qualified for the finals of the Asian U19 Football Championship to be played later this year, Japan proved to be playing at a higher level in both skills and physical strength.

During the match, Minamito Takumi scored a double, while Sekine Takahiro and Miura Genta pocketed one each in the first half. Mochizuki Reo, Tamura Ryosuka and Shuto Kitagawa completed a goal buffet in the second.

Losing the first match to AS Roma two days ago, the Vietnamese players showed their great potential and were expecting better results in their second match. However, they found that they were unable to display their talents. Their perfect combinations, exact passes and threatening attempts that confused the Italian, disappeared while playing the Japanese.

The defenders failed to stop Japanese strikers during most of their attacks, as the midfielder could not set up a link with the front line and the strikers did not have the ball often enough to score.

Three players, Nguyen Van Toan, Nguyen Cong Phuong and Nguyen Tuan Anh, who AS Roma coach Alberto de Rossi said were talented enough to play in Europe, displayed none of their abilities against the Japanese opponents.

The Japanese were excellent in both attack and defence, facing almost no challenge in a match that they comprehensively dominated.

Coach Graechen Guillaume of Viet Nam made all five changes, but could not improve the situation on the field.

Only in the last 10 minutes did Viet Nam have several opportunities, when the Japanese ensured their win, then loosened their attention. However, Viet Nam's tired strikers could not convert these chances to goals.

In the earlier match of the day, AS Roma defeated Tottenham Hospur 2-1.

Their second victory left them as leader of the tournament, with six points.

In the last round tomorrow they will play Japan, while Viet Nam will face the Spur lads. — VNS