AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers – Group F: Nepal 0-1 Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City: An early own goal gifted Vietnam a 1-0 win over Nepal in their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round Group F match on Tuesday.
The win lifted Vietnam to nine points, three behind leaders Malaysia while Nepal remained anchored at the bottom of the group after losing all four of their matches.
After a 30-minute delay due to adverse weather conditions, Vietnam took the lead five minutes into the tie when under-pressure defender Suman Shrestha turned the ball into his own net.
The hosts, who beat the South Asians 3-1 on Thursday, worked hard to find a second but had to be content with a slim lead going into the break.
Head coach Kim Sang-sik made four changes in the second half to shore up his side’s attacking threat, but they failed to catch fire but it didn’t matter in the end as Vietnam took the points to stay in sight of leaders Malaysia.
Nepal next play Malaysia while Vietnam face Laos, with both matches to be contested on November 18.
