Players of Vietnam (in white) and China vie for the ball. (Photo: AFC) Thedefeat means coach Park hang-seo's men are still without a point in the thirdround of 2022 World Cup qualifying after three matches.
Thefirst half ended with no goals scored although both sides had chances.
Chinesestriker Zhang Yuning tested Vietnamese keeper Bui Tan Truong just two minutesinto the match but his right-footed shot from the left side of the six-yard boxmissed to the right.
StarChinese forward Wu Lei had two consecutive chances to score minutes later butboth of the Espanyol man's attempts were denied.
Thevisiting side also had six attempts with three from striker Nguyen TienLinh, who scored a double in a friendly match which saw Vietnam’s U22 team beatChina’s U22 squad 2-0 in 2019.
Justseven minutes after the break, Zhang opened the scoring after Truongparried Wu’s close-range shot into his path.
In the Vietnam-China match. (Photo: VFF) However,the Vietnamese side refused to lie down and substitute Ho Tan Tai pulled a goalback in the 80th minute.
Taiwas played in thanks to a long pass from midfielder Nguyen Hoang Duc which beatthe entire China defence. Tai controlled it with his right foot andfired it home with the left.
Inthe final minute of normal time, Linh got his reward for a night of hard graftby converting a smart pass from midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai to level thescores.
Withfive minutes added on it seemed either team could have taken all three points,but it was to be the nominal home side that triumphed.
Wufound room in the box after more brilliant movement in the 95th minute andglanced home a deep cross, condemning Vietnam to defeat.
"Scoringin the last minute makes me happy but it is pity that we could not hold thedraw result to the end. If we had been lucky we may have got a win, but this isfootball," said Linh.
Vietnamwill next play Oman on October 12 while China will take on Saudi Arabia a daylater./.
VNA
