U23 Vietnam won third place in the M-15 Cup after beating host Thailand 2-1 on December 15 (Photo: tuoitre.vn)Hanoi (VNA) – U23 Vietnam won thirdplace in the M-150 Cup after beating host Thailand 2-1 on December 15 in Buriam,Thailand.
The result provides a measure of revenge after the Vietnamese lost 3-0 to theirarch rivals four months ago at the Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia.
The opening goal came just seven minutes intothe game with striker Nguyen Cong Phuong finding space in the box between twoThai defenders to head captain Luong Xuan Truong’s cross past goalkeeper NontMuangngam.
Fifteen minutes later Phuong doubled theadvantage, again finding space in the box before lashing home Nguyen QuangHai’s diagonal with his right foot, having beaten the Thai offside trap.
The hosts then wasted a golden opportunity toscore in the 38th minute. After Dinh Trong fouled Sarachat in the box,presenting Thailand with a penalty.
However Vietnamese goalkeeper Tien Dung savedSombatyotha’s poor spot-kick.
The second half saw Thailand take the game toVietnam, putting the visitors under intense pressure.
Just two minutes after the interval, SupachokSarachat pulled one back for Thailand after some lackluster defending from DoanVan Hau and A Hoang.
For the rest of the match, both sides createdopportunities, but converted none.
Speaking after the same in his role as acommentator, former national head coach Mai Duc Chung said the players had mademistakes but it was acceptable because they were young.
“A personal mistake allowed Thailand’s goal. Butwe should not blame them. They lack of experience, which can only be gatheredin game after game over several years,” he said.
“In this tournament, Vietnam has played threematches which will be very useful for them ahead of the Asian U23 Championshipnext year in China. Coach Park Hang-seo will have time to fix the team’sproblems,” Chung said.
In the final match later, Uzbekistan won theM-150 cup, edging Japan 4-3 in a penalty shoot out after play during regulartime ended at 2-2.-VNA
VNA
