Vietnam's U20 football team (red) were thrashed by Argentina U20 4-1 in a friendly on May 10 (Photo: tuoitre.vn)HCM City (VNA) -Vietnam's U20 football team were thrashed by Argentina U20 4-1 in a friendly inHo Chi Minh City on May 10.
The match was a rehearsal forthe FIFA U20 World Cup in the Republic of Korea (RoK) between May and June 2017for both teams.
With their outstandingindividuals whose skills are world class, the away side dominated the matchfrom kick-off.
Vietnam set out their stallwith a disciplined defence and despite the near-constant pressure, managed someimpressive counter-attacks.
However, a slip inconcentration from the Vietnamese defenders in the 28th minute, Argentineattacker Ezequiel Ponce received a pass from his teammate Marcelo Torres andopened the scoring.
Though both teams hadopportunities to find the net, the first half ended 1-0.
Argentina continued todominate after the break, with Ezequiel Mansilla doubling their advantage witha header in the early minutes of the second half, Torres again theprovider.
The away side pulled away withanother two goals through Mendez Ignacio in the 62nd and 87th minutes; howeverVietnam refused to lie down and scored a late consolation through attacker HaDuc Chinh.
Despite the heavy defeat theVietnamese side will be able to learn from the experience of competing againsta greatly superior opponent.
Vietnam's squad will play onemore friendly against Vanuatu U20 on May 14 in the RoK, one week before theirU20 FIFA World Cup campaign begins against New Zealand in Group E.
Argentina is a regular face atthe U20 World Cup, having won the competition six times, while this isVietnam's first appearance.
While Argentina hopes to comeaway as winner of the tournament, Vietnam has already made history as the firstever Southeast Asian team to compete at the tournament.
At the World Cup, Argentina isin Group A with hosts RoK, Guinea and England, while Vietnam is in Group E withFrance, Honduras and New Zealand.-VNA
