Asian media laud Vietnam’s victory at AFF Suzuki Cup semifinals

Asian media on December 6 hailed Vietnam’s 2-1 win over the Philippines in the 2018 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup semi-final return leg, which sent the team through to the final with a 4-2 aggregate victory.
Asian media laud Vietnam’s victory at AFF Suzuki Cup semifinals ảnh 1Vietnamese players celebrate Nguyen Cong Phuong's goal in the semifinal second leg of the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup against the Philippines (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Asian media on December 6 hailed Vietnam’s 2-1 win over thePhilippines in the 2018 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup semi-finalreturn leg, which sent the team through to the final with a 4-2 aggregatevictory.

FoxSport Asia published an article saying that despite guaranteeing progression tothe final as long as they didn’t concede more than two away goals, Vietnamstill found a way past the resolute Philippines’ defence late in the game.

Inthe 83rd minute, Vietnam broke the deadlock when Phan Van Duc broke free downthe left and advanced on goal before laying a ball across the face of goal toleave Nguyen Quang Hai with a simple tap-in, it continued.

Justfour minutes later, they struck again to effectively kill the contest as NguyenCong Phuong’s attempted pass was intercepted by Adam Tull but fell kindly backinto his path, paving the way for him to lash a ferocious shot past the Philippinekeeper at the near post, it said.

In addition, Philippines news website rapple.com wrote the Philippines could not create amiracle in My Dinh Stadium this time, while Philippine news portalPhilstar added that the team’s dreamto qualify for the final was shattered with no miracle against Vietnam.

Anarticle of Sports Seoul sportsentertainment magazine ofthe Republic of Korea wrote that although Vietnam had less possession in thematch, Korean head coach Park Hang-seo’s charges had the game under theircontrol.

WhenPhilippine players showed signs of physical deterioration, the team in redincreased their attacks and scored two goals in the match’s last 10 minutes, itcontinued.

Holdingthe same view, Sport Talk Korea wrote that Vietnam posed threats to theirrivals with their players’ individual skill.

The final first leg between Vietnam and Malaysia will take place onDecember 11 in Malaysia, and the return leg will be held four days later inHanoi.

The AFF Suzuki Cup 2018 is taking place from November 8 to December 15with 26 matches among 10 teams.

Vietnam’s only victory at the tournament came in 2008, but with theleadership of Korean head coach Park Hang-seo and the current squad, Vietnamesefootball fans are hopeful the team can take the trophy for a second time. -VNA
VNA

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