Vietnamese player Nguyen Van Toan tapped a rebound into Myanmar’s net in the 77th minute. However, the goal received the assistant referee’s flag for offside (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) - The Asian media has highlighted Vietnam's defensivestrength following the team's performance against Myanmar in the ASEAN FootballFederation (AFF) Suzuki Cup 2018, which was the third consecutive match thatVietnamese goalkeeper Dang Van Lam has let no goal being scored.
Thematch took place at Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar, on November 20evening.
Areport published on www.affsuzukicup.com said “In front of a raucous crowd at the Thuwunna Stadium, it was the home sidewho looked to assert themselves on the game, dominating possession early butstruggling to find a way through a disciplined Vietnam defence.”
Thearticle noted it took Myanmar 26 minutes to make the first almost successfulscoring attempt, with Aung Lwin Moe’s long range hitting straight at Dang VanLam.
Itsaid Myanmar “somehow survived a flurry of chances from Vietnam, with Htet KyawZin saving a point blank effort from Phan Van Duc, before following it upseconds later with another fine save to deny Nguyen Cong Phuong.”
Regardingsubstitute Nguyen Van Toan’s rebound into Myanmar’s net, many considered it alawful score.
TheChosun newspaper in the Republic of Korea said it was a pity that the goalreceived the assistant referee’s flag for offside.
Meanwhile,Akshat Mehrish of the Fox Sport Asia wrote: “There was also a dubious decisionto contend with. Vietnam looked to have taken the lead in the 77th minute whensubstitute Nguyen Van Toan tapped a rebound into the net; only to see hisstrike to be ruled out for offside. Replays showed that the forward was indeedonside when the first ball was played, leaving the players and the fansbewildered.”
Withthe tie, both Vietnam and Myanmar have seven points after three matches, butMyanmar temporarily top Group A thanks to goals scored.
Previously,Myanmar beat Cambodia 4-1 and came from behind to beat Laos 3-1, while Vietnamdefeated Laos 3-0 and Malaysia 2-0.
Vietnamwill play Cambodia at Hanoi’s Hang Day Stadium on November 24, while Myanmarwill face Malaysia in an away match.
TheAFF Suzuki Cup 2018 is taking place from November 8 to December 15 with 26matches among 10 teams. Vietnam are in Group A together with Malaysia, Myanmar,Cambodia and Laos.
Thisyear, the AFF Suzuki Cup will feature a new playing format, with both home andaway ties.
Inthe tournament’s history, Vietnam won the championship just once in 2008. Withthe leadership of coach Park Hang-seo and the current squad, both Vietnameseand Korean football fans are hopeful the S-shaped country’s team will take thetrophy for the second time after 10 years awaiting.-VNA
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