AFF U23 Championship: Wonder goal from Trung Thanh help Vietnam edge out Thailand 1-0

Vietnam churned out a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Thailand within the closing group stage sport of the continuing AFF U23 Championship on the Prince Stadium, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Trung Thanh Nguyen (29′) scored a superb objective from a set piece that proved to be the difference-maker between the 2 groups.

No matter the end result, each Vietnam and Thailand progress to the knockouts. However it’s the finish of the street for hosts Cambodia as they path to Thailand within the rating of one of the best second-placed groups.

It was a vigorous begin to the match with each the groups vying for the opener proper from the primary whistle. Thailand’s Kakana Khamyok drilled in an incisive by way of ball for Teerasak Poeiphimai who skipped previous a few challenges earlier than firing a shot at objective. But it surely was a too feeble try to beat Trinh Xuan Hoang below the sticks. A couple of minutes later, Vietnam responded in equal measure when Quoc Viet Nguyen had a crack at objective.

However as the sport progressed, Golden Star Warriors began dominating proceedings. Within the twenty first minute, Bao Toan Tran, unleashed a swerving volley in direction of objective which pressured the Thai keeper, Narongsak Nueangwongsa, to convey out his greatest to maintain the scores unchanged.

The Nam Dinh’s males persistently upped the ante and their efforts have been lastly rewarded within the twenty ninth minute when Trung Thanh Nguyen scored a mesmerizing free-kick. Though it was a good angle for Trung Thanh the midfielder tried his luck and went for glory. His shot flew over the two-man human wall and dipped on the proper time to pierce the online by way of the highest nook of the primary submit leaving Nueangwongsa flat-footed.

After falling behind, Thailand began to point out extra urgency in assault. Kroekphon Arbram was making the proper strikes within the large areas and was proving to be a troublesome buyer to cope with for Thanh Nhn Nguyen. Within the forty first minute, Arbram tricked his marker as soon as once more and arrange Poeiphimai within the six-yard field with an inch-perfect cross. However the striker might solely shoot over the crossbar regardless of having the whole objective at his mercy with solely the keeper to beat.

Within the second half, Thailand continued their seek for the equaliser with gusto however have been struggling to seek out areas within the attacking third. Vietnam maintained their defensive form and remained disciplined on the again. Poeiphimai saved attempting with pictures from distance however his efforts weren’t adequate for the trigger. Within the 77th minute, skipper Anusak Jaiphet got here near erasing the deficit however his header from a nook kick went inches large of the far submit.

The Battle Elephants had a golden alternative when Vietnam keeper Xuan Hoang spilled the ball whereas amassing a routine cross and the rebound fell for Khamyok. However the midfielder couldn’t kind out his toes and will solely handle a feeble try at objective which was subsequently cleared by the defence. Minutes later, Quang Thinh’s miscued clearance regarded destined to bulge the online however Hoang redeemed himself of his earlier mistake with a positive reflex save.

Each groups will return to motion on Thursday within the knockout stage of the event. Thailand will tackle Laos within the first semi-final whereas Vietnam would conflict towards Timor Leste within the different fixture.