Defender Nguyen Xuan Kien of Vietnam (right) tackles Jacon Italiano of Australia during their AFC U16 Championship qualification. (Source: VFF)
Uong Ngoc Tien of Vietnam missed a penalty, wasting a chance for his team to automatically advance to the final round of the Asian Football Confederation U16 Championship next year.
Vietnam lost 0-1 to Australia in the last Group J match of the qualification in Hanoi on September 20.
Australia's impressive campaign brought them the only ticket for the group winner to the finals.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, coach Dinh The Nam of Vietnam spoke of his regret about the loss.
"Vietnam was as strong as Australia in this match. We created many chances, but could not convert them to goals. It is football, so when we cannot score, we lose," said Nam.
The coach, however, said he was satisfied with how his players performed.
"My players strictly followed my tactics, but they still had a disadvantage due to their nervousness and physiques, which must be improved if we are to enter the finals. They need more training and competition in the future," he said.
Meanwhile, Myanmar finished their qualifiers in style, as Eric Williams' charges thrashed rock bottom Guam 10-0 to finish third.
The result saw Myanmar finish third in the group, ahead of Guam, who failed to garner a point.
Eleven group winners and four best second-place teams will come together in India for next year's finals, with the tournament hosts receiving an automatic qualification.
Should India finish on top of their qualifying group, or among the four best second-placed teams, the fifth best second-placed nation will qualify for the final competition.
Vietnam still has to wait until all matches of the qualifier have been completed to learn if they are among the best four second-place squads.-VNA
