Vietnam win first match at World Cup qualifier

Vietnamese players celebrate scoring against Chinese Taipei. (Source: vnexpress.net)

National men’s football team of Vietnam secured their first win at the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying round after overcoming Taipei 2-1 at the Taipei Municipal Stadium in Chinese Taiwan on September 8.

After a goalless first half, defender Dinh Tien Thanh put Vietnam ahead at the 53 rd minute with a close-range tap-in after striker Le Cong Vinh’s header from a corner delivered by midfielder Pham Thanh Luong in the right wing.

Substitute forward Wu Chun-ching headed home with eight minutes from the regular time to put the two teams on equal terms.

Vietnam went in front again in the second minute of a 10 minute extra-time following a quick attack involving substitute Tran Phi Son and Vinh.

Son brought the ball in the opponent’s half and passed it to Vinh, who squared it back to Son. Despite losing his balance, Son managed to hit the ball, which caught Chinese Taipei defender and goalkeeper off guard and rolled into the empty net.

With three points from the win, Vietnam rose to third place behind Thailand and Iraq in Group F. In the first match on May 24, Vietnam lost 1-0 to Thailand.

Vietnam will next host Iraq in its third match on October 8 at the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi.-VNA