Vietnamese players celebrate their U19 tournament title (Photo of VFF) Khanh Hoa (VNA) - Vietnam’s teamhave won the U19 International Football Championship after beating Thailand 1-0in the final in Nha Trang city, south central Khanh Hoa province.
Striker Pham Xuan Tao scoredthe only goal for Vietnam in the 60th minute.
It was the second time Vietnamhave defeated Thai rivals in a week after the U23 squad secured a 4-0 victory overThailand in Group K of the Asian U23 Championship qualifiers.
Thailand started thegame well, clearly irked by the country’s earlier defeat, but with greatsupport behind them, Vietnam defended well and managed to take control of thegame during the first half.
Vietnam finally brokethe deadlock in the 6th minute. Long Nhat’s long ball put Taothrough on goal and he rounded Rakyart in the Thai goal to coolly finish intoan empty net.
Tao, who finished thetournament joint lead scorer and most valuable player, thought he haddoubled Vietnam’s lead in the 75th minute but his effort was judgedoffside.
As the clocked ticked,Thailand did have chances to get back into the game but were denied by thewoodwork and brilliance of Vietnamese keeper Quan Van Chuan, who was namedgoalkeeper of the tournament.
As well as lifting thetrophy, Vietnam also picked up the Fair Play award.
In the third-place match,China beat 10-man Myanmar 3-2 to grab the bronze medal.-VNA
