HA NOI (VNS) — Viet Nam U19 team lost 1-5 to a Japanese student team in the first match during their training tour in Osaka City yesterday.

Coach Guillaume Graechen of Viet Nam did not have his strongest players in this match as Tien Dung and Minh Long were sidelines because of hurts.

The hosts set up their domination since the beginning of the 60-minute match.

They easily found the net four times in the first half. The students subjected to play slowly in the second half but still scored their fifth goal before the visiting side pocketed their only goal by Pham Trum Tinh.

Despite loss Graechen gave his players encouragement as saying his rivals were in their final year of university. They were older, more experienced and had better physique than the Vietnamese. His players well managed the balls although they made personal mistakes leading to goal losses.

The French said his side had better situation in the second half and maintained fair play spirit.

Their next game will be against U18 Cerezo Osaka on Saturday. — VNS