Having topped Group B, Vietnam will play the host Indonesia in the semi-finals of the SEA Games’ football tournament Nov. 19 in Jakarta.

Vietnam came from behind to beat Laos 3-1 in their last group match, despite having a man sent off.

With 13 points, they top the table on goal difference ahead of Myanmar , who will take on Malaysia in the second semi-final game.

Laos took the lead in the fourth minute through Keoviengheth, following a defensive mix up, and Vietnam were down to 10 men 10 minutes later after defender Nguyen Thanh Long Giang was sent off. Giang will also be suspended for the semi-final.

”Giang’s red card was regrettable because he did not need to go in as hard as he did. He’s caused a headache for coach Falko Goetz who has to find a substitute for the next game,” said former national captain Nguyen Hong Son.

However the Lao side failed to take advantage, thanks to some fine work by Vietnamese goalkeeper Buu Ngoc.

Goetz decided to bring on talented midfielder Pham Thanh Luong in the second half.

“Luong brings a breath of fresh air to Vietnam . He is really the ‘head’ of the team who can change the shape of a match,” Son said.

Hoang Dinh Tung equalized in the 64 th minute, tapping a rebound from teammate Nguyen Van Quyet’s powerful shoot.

Quyet added his own name to the score sheet minutes following an accurate through-ball from Tung.

It was Quyet’s fifth goal this SEA Games, making him one of the leading scorers.

Laos ’ hope to level the result was stamped out when captain Lamnao Singto was sent off after a clash with Vietnamese defender Lam Quang Anh.

In the last minute, Le Van Thanh made it 3-1 for Vietnam after a close-range tap in to the right corner./.