Vietnam’s national football squad lost 0-2 to U23 Australia in the Thang Long-Hanoi Millennium Cup Wednesday night at the My Dinh National Stadium after North Korea beat U23 Kuwait 1-0.
The home side started the game with one change in the line-up that beat the Kuwait team 3-0 two days earlier. Truong Dinh Luat played as a wing defender to replace Doan Viet Cuong, who was injured.
With pressing tactics, the Aussies controlled the game during the first 30 minutes as Vietnam midfielders Nguyen Minh Phuong, Phan Van Tai Em and Le Tan Tai did not connect well.
Jason Hoffman and Tahj Minniecon scored two first-half goals to hand the Aussies their first win of the four-team round-robin tournament after an opening 0-1 loss to North Korea.
U23 Australia’s defender John Henry (R) stops Vietnam midfielder Nguyen Trong Hoang’s finish during their match in Hanoi on September 22, 2010 (Photo: SGGP)
Vietnam had more ball possession during the second half but they failed to convert chances into goals. The Australian defense system did not lose concentration against Vietnam’s pressure. Tai had some chances to narrow down the gap but did not succeed.
Now both Vietnam and U23 Australia had three points after one win and one loss. North Korea took the lead after two wins. Meanwhile, the Kuwait team have no points.
The hosts will take on North Korea in the last match Friday night while Australia face Kuwait. Vietnam, the reigning ASEAN champions, have to play hard in the last game after their defeat to the Aussies.
(CPV)
