Second win for Vietnam at 2019 Asian Cup qualifying

The door is wide open for Vietnam to the 2019 Asian Cup finals as the team trounced Cambodia 5-0 during their clash under the 2019 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup qualification in Hanoi on October 10.

Prior to Tuesday’s rematch at My Dinh Stadium, Vietnam temporarily ranked second in Group C with five points after three games, followed by Cambodia, who lost 1-2 to their neighbouring in Phnom Penh in the previous round last month, with a two point gap. Jordan top the table with seven points.

Thanh Trung (No. 18) and his teammate celebrate the opener for Vietnam during the clash with Cambodia at the home turf on Tuesday evening. (Credit: vietnamnet.vn)

In the first Group C match on Tuesday between Afghanistan and group leaders Jordan, the two tied 3-3, meaning that a win for Vietnam against Cambodia would help Coach Mai Duc Chung’s players on par with Jordan, thus opening the door to win the ticket to the 2019 Asian Cup finals in the UEA.

The clash at My Dinh was not in a favourable weather as it was raining heavily and influenced the match’s quality. However, Vietnam, with best-form lineups, quickly took home advantage to strengthen attacks on their guests.

The opener arrived soon for the hosts in a rather lucky manner in the 12th minute as Dinh Thanh Trung’s kick hit a Cambodian defender and deflected into the goal, which keeper Sou Yaty was unable to save.

Inspired by the opening goal, Vietnam continued to overwhelm and created consecutive threats to Sou Yaty’s goal. However, due to the heavy rain and slippery ground, Vietnamese players could not convert any opportunities into goals during the last minutes of the first half.

Contrary to the first half, Vietnam showed off their skills in the second session. In the 56th minute, Thanh Trung proved his effectiveness since the beginning of the match with a skilled cross on the right. The ball found Van Quyet and Vietnam’s captain punished the Cambodian defensive line with a superb header, doubling the scoring for Vietnam.

The 2-0 lead helped Vietnamese players to alleviate the pressure and play more confidently. The team only needed four minutes to score the third goal. Midfielder Thanh Trung continued to print his mark with a free kick to drop a favourable ball to veteran striker Anh Duc to break Cambodian line and score an easy goal.

The 5-0 win helps Vietnam earn eight points, on par with Jordan, but still temporarily rank behind the group leaders for a lower goal difference. The victory yet helps Vietnam set a foot in the 2019 Asian Cup finals. In the next match against Afghanistan, Vietnam only needs one point, while Cambodia would not be defeated by Jordan, to officially earn a berth in the UAE’s tournament next year.

(Source: NDO)