Vietnam out of regional football tourney

Midfielder Pham Thanh Luong is chased by an Indonesian defender. (Source: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’s national men’s football team was knocked out of the Southeast Asian Football Championship after the 2-2 second-leg draw at My Dinh Stadium on December 7.

Indonesia won 4-3 on aggregate after two legs, booking their place in the finals of the regional football championship.

In the December 7 match, Vietnam dominated the first half and created some chances but failed to capitalise. Indonesia completely committed to the defensive playing from the out and waited for quick counter attacks.

The second half began with even more clear-cut chances for Vietnam but captain Le Cong Vinh missed them all. The match turned worse for Vietnam as Indonesian midfielder Stefano Lilipaly took advantage of mistakes of Vietnamese goalkeeper Tran Nguyen Manh and defender Tran Dinh Dong to open the score after 54 minutes.

The hosts’ misery was compounded when keeper Mạnh received a straight red card in the 77th minute.

Defender Que Ngoc Hai donned the gloves as Vietnam had already used the maximum three substitutions.

However, a turning point came on the 83rd minute when from a right corner, Pham Thanh Luong passed the ball to right-wing defender Vu Van Thanh who buried the ball into the low corner, putting the match on equal terms.

The goal brought back hope for Vietnamese players on the field and fans on the stand as well as TV viewers, helping Vietnam sustain their attacks until the last minutes that resulted in a goal in the stoppage time.

Substitute Vu Minh Tuan tricked the ball past Indonesian defenders to race clear into the box before driving his shot to the far corner of the goal.

The goal brought the game into extra-time, with the two teams deadlocked at 3-3 after two legs.

But the revived hope was short-lived when stand-in keeper Que Ngoc Hai fouled an Indonesian player in the penalty area.

Manahati Lestusen made no mistake from the spot kick, equalising on the night at 2-2, and sending Indonesia to the final with a 4-3 aggregate win.-VNA