Nguyen Anh Duc scored one more goal to double Vietnam’s advantage in the match with Malaysia on November 16. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’s national football team has grabbed theheadlines of international media following its 2-0 triumph over Malaysia onNovember 16.
“Vietnam maintained their perfect start to the 2018 ASEAN Football FederationChampionship on Friday as Park Hang-seo’s side beat Malaysia 2-0 at Hanoi’s MyDinh Stadium”, Reuters wrote.
In its article “Vietnam maintain perfect start with win over Malaysia”, Reutershighlighted contributions made Nguyen Cong Phuong and Nguyen Anh Duc. It said Phuonggave Vietnam a “flying start” when he clipped the ball home after Anh Duc’smiss-kick in the penalty area with 11 minutes on the clock. In the second half,Anh Duc scored one more goal to double Vietnam’s advantage.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s New Strait Times described the Vietnamese team as “goldendragons”, who is now at World No.102, 67 steps higher than Malaysia’s position.
The newspaper’s article, titled “Harimau fall at Golden Dragons’ lair inHanoi”, mentioned the vibrant atmosphere roared on by a 40,000 capacity crowdat the My Dinh Stadium.
The article said Malaysian goal-keeper Khairul Fahmi, who previously shut outVietnam twice in the AFF Cup semi-finals in 2010 and 2014, could not protecthis net from devilish shots of Phuong and Duc.
In its ratings given to players in the match, Fox Sports gave nine points toNguyen Anh Duc thanks to his art of moving without the ball, and ability tolook for opportunities. It said “On a day when his team really needed him,Nguyen Anh Duc delivered”. Meanwhile, Quang Hai who did a good job in midfield,and Cong Phuong, who opened the scoring in the 11th minute, were allmarked 8.
Inthe Malaysian team, Shrel Fikri received lowest points. Despite 69 percent ofball possession, Fikri and his teammates could not shot a single goal. Fikrimust have done better in his ability, Fox Sport said.
OnNovember 8, Vietnam beat Laos 3-0 in its first match of Group A, with goals byCong Phuong, Anh Duc and Nguyen Quang Hai. Meanwhile, Malaysia previouslydefeated Laos and Cambodia.
The AFF Suzuki Cup 2018 is taking place from November 8 to December 15 with 26matches among 10 teams. Vietnam’s national football team is in Group A togetherwith fellow South East Asian teams, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.
This year, the AFF Suzuki Cup will feature a new playing format, with both homeand away ties. Vietnam will play Myanmar on November 20 and face Cambodia fourdays later.-VNA
VNA
