Vietnam’s men’s U23 football team defeated Malaysia 3-1, while its women’s squad crushed rivals also from Malaysia 8-0 in their SEA Games group matches in Laos on Dec. 6.

Striker Thanh Binh helped Vietnam lead the game with a successful penalty kick at the 11 minute, and Tien Thanh raised the score to 2-0 at the 24th minute.

Malaysia lowered the score to 1-2 just one minute later with an own goal by Vietnamese player Hoang Quang.

However, a goal by Trong Hoang at the last injury minute of the first half consolidated the victory for Vietnam which now tops Group A with seven points after three matches, full of hope for a berth in the semi-finals.

Vietnam will play Cambodia in its qualifying match on Dec. 11.

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese girls also showed their good performances in the SEA Games opener, beating Malaysian peers 8-0./.