The only goal by Doan Van Hau (No. 4) helped Vietnam to win the U23 International Championship - Vinaphone Cup 2018 title. (Photo: NDO/Tran Hai).
The second consecutive victory also helps the team to win the trophy with one game in hand as Vietnam have taken the lead with 6 points after two matches, followed by Palestine U23 with 3 points after the team defeated Uzbekistan U23 2-1 in an early match on Sunday.
Vietnam had a perfect start with a 2-1 victory over Palestine U23 in the opening match two days earlier. Head coach Park Hang-seo decided to field a completely different squad compared to the previous match, with 11 new faces starting the second game at My Dinh National Stadium tonight.
Head coach Park Hang-seo fielded a completely different squad compared to the opening match, with 11 new faces starting the second game. (Photo: NDO/Tran Hai)
However, the Vietnamese players still dominated the game from the start with a series of attacks from both wings. But Tien Linh, Van Duc and Minh Vuong missed their opportunities to make a breakthrough.
Oman looked good down the left wing thanks to the speed and skills from Sulaman. In the last minutes of the first half, Sulaman had a chance to open the scoring for Oman but Vietnam’s goalie Bui Tien Dung denied the striker’s effort. The first 45 minutes finished goalless.
In the second half, coach Park sent on four substitutes Van Toan, Van Hau, Dinh Trong and Duc Chinh to strengthen the attacks. The changes immediately took effect as the attacks on the left wing were improved, thanks to Van Hau and Van Toan’s activeness.
Vietnam bombarded Oman’s goal in the 20 final minutes of the second half but Van Toan’s header hit the bar, while Thanh Chung, Hung Dung and Duc Chinh also missed their opportunities.
Vietnam U23 dominated the game but they had to wait until the 89th minute to celebrate the opener. (Photo: NDO/Tran Hai)
As the clock was ticking, it was likely the game would finish goalless, however, substitute Van Hau shone brightly in the 89th minute with a superb left foot finish to give Vietnam the lead.
1-0 was the final result of the match. With 6 points after two matches, Vietnam U23 were officially crowned the champions without considering the result of their final game. In the final match on August 7, Park and his players will reunite with familiar opponents Uzbekistan U23, who beat Vietnam in the 2018 AFC U23 Asian Cup final early this year.
Vietnamese football supporters created a lively and passionate atmosphere in the stand at My Dinh National Stadium. (Photo: NDO/Tran Hai)
Source: NDO