Vietnamese players cheer their first goal in the match (Photo: VNA) Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Vietnam drew Malaysia inthe first-leg final of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup 2018,which took place at the Bukit Jalil national stadium in Kuala Lumpur onDecember 11.
Vietnam led in the first half, but did not play as well asthey started in the remaining part of the match.
At the 22nd minute, Vietnam scored the first goalafter Nguyen Huy Hung got a tap in after a Malaysia player failed to clear theball.
Just two minutes later, Pham Duc Huy kicked a stunning longshot to score the second goal for Vietnam.
At the 35th minute, Malaysia shortened the deficitwith a header from Mohd Sadd.
Ha Duc Chinh had three chances to score at the 30th,43rd and 44th minute, but he did not succeed.
The first half ended at 2-1 for Vietnam.
Into the second half, while Vietnam missed manyopportunities, Malaysia equalized the score from a free kick at the 59th minute.
The match ended 2-2. Vietnam will meet Malaysia again at theMy Dinh National Stadium on December 15.
Vietnam entered the finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2018 afterdefeating the Philippines 2-1 in the return leg of the semifinal, which tookplace at Hanoi’s My Dinh Stadium on December 6. The squad also beat thePhilippines 2-1 in the first leg held in Bacolod city of the Philippines fourdays earlier.
Malaysia become the first finalists after a 2-2 draw withthe defending champion Thailand in the second leg of their semifinal in Bangkokon December 5. Previously, they had a 0-0 draw with Thailand in the first legheld in Kuala Lumpur on December 1.
In the tournament’s history, Vietnam won the championshipjust once in 2008. Under the leadership of coach Park Hang-seo and the currentsquad, both Vietnamese and Korean football fans are hopeful that Vietnam willtake the trophy for the second time after 10 years’ waiting.-VNA
VNA
