Olympic team lose 2-0 to Republic of Korea at Asian Games

The Vietnam Olympic football team suffered the second consecutive defeat at the 15th Asian Games as they lost 2-0 to one of the possible favourites for gold medal, the Republic of Korea, on December 2. Lee Ho opened the scoring after seven minutes and Kim Jin Kyu extended the lead in the stoppage time.    

The Vietnamese team remained unchanged in the game against one of the Asian powerhouses, the Republic of Korea, after a 2-1 defeat to Olympic Bahrain. Goalkeeper To Vinh Loi and captain Nguyen Huy Hoang, whose blunders cost the Vietnamese team a 2-1 defeat in their first game were included in starting XI.

The Vietnamese side went 1-0 down after seven minutes. After goalkeeper Vinh Loi blocked a powerful shot by captain Lee Chun Soo, Lee Ho struck the rebound to the net.

Classy Koreans dominated the game with a 66% ball possession time, while the Vietnamese side, as underdogs, played a counterattacking football.

In the second half, the Korean team continued to control the game but the Vietnamese team had a fine attack in the 50th minute. Vu Phong and Van Bien combined and found striker Cong Vinh on the left edge of the box. However, Cong Vinh curled the ball wide.

The Koreans continued their domination and came close in the 74th minute. Park Chu Young, who scored two goals to help the Republic of Korea beat Bangladesh 3-0 four days ago, headed the crossbar with goalkeeper Vinh Loi completely beaten.

One minute later, Lee Ho had a good opportunity, finishing Choi Sung Kuk”s freekick from the left, but his header was unable to beat goalkeeper Vinh Loi.

The Korean sides increased their pace, captain Lee Chun Soo tested Vinh Loi with another attempt from the right edge of the box, which was saved by Vinh Loi.

In the last minute Kim Jin Kyu headed in the second goal for the Republic of Korea after goalkeeper Vinh Loi failed to clear a freekick from the right flank.

Olympic Vietnam have been eliminated from the Asian Games. They will compete for the third place in the table with Bangladesh, who play Olympic Bahrain in a later match, on December 4.

Nhan dan