Vietnam, Indonesia to battle for men’s gold medal

Indonesia needed extra time to overcome a fighting Myanmar 4-2 while Vietnam strolled to a 4-0 win over surprise semi-finalists Cambodia.

Whoever wins the gold medal in Tuesday’s final will end a long wait – Indonesia were last champions in 1991 while Vietnam – then South Vietnam – won the inaugural edition in 1959.

Vietnam 4–0 Cambodia

Vietnam started brightly and Cambodia were forced to defend deep as Park hang-seo’s men attacked in numbers.

Cambodia’s defence held firm initially but the attacks kept coming and Vietnam took the lead in the 20th minute as Nguyen Tien Linh headed home Ha Duc Chinh’s cross.

It became the Duc Chinh show after that as the forward beat Yue Safy in a duel for the ball and slotted past Cambodia goalkeeper Keo Soksela in the 26th minute.

Duc Chinh all but sealed Vietnam’s place in the final with a header two minutes into first half added time, leaving Cambodia a mountain to climb.

The challenge became impossible as Duc Ching completed his hat-trick – his second of the tournament – in the 69th minute as he steered the ball home off a corner kick.

Myanmar 2–4 Indonesia

Indonesia were seeking to make the final for the first time since 2013 while Myanmar had finished runners-up in the 2015 edition. Both were also aiming to end long waits for the gold medal with Indonesia last winning it in 1991 while Myanmar were last champions in 1973.

The match started on a cautious note and as the first half progressed, chances were at a premium with Osvaldo Haay’s stoppage time header – which was easily saved by Myanmar goalkeeper Sann Sat Naing – the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock.

Indonesia started the second half on a higher note as they pressed Myanmar and their aggression paid off in the 58th minute as Egy Maulana made his way into the box before laying the ball for Evan Dimas to fire home.

A boosted Indonesia continued to set the pace and doubled their lead in the 71st minute as Egy rose high to head home Bagas Adi Nugroho’s free-kick.

Osvaldo had a chance to seal victory for Indonesia in the 75th minute but couldn’t test Sann with his effort and it was to prove to be a costly miss as Myanmar reduced the deficit in the 79th minute.

Lwin Moe Aung beat his marker before relaying the ball to substitute Aung Kaung Mann, who scored from close range.

A minute later, resilient Myanmar were level after Indonesia goalkeeper Nadeo Winata dropped a simple catch, with Win Naing Tun gleefully tucking the ball home to force extra time.

Indonesia, however, recovered well from the blow of squandering their two-goal lead as they dictated play in extra-time, with Osvaldo atoning for his earlier misses by tapping home Asnawi’s Bahar’s cross in the 102nd minute.

Evan then sealed Indonesia’s place in the final as he tucked home Sani Rizki’s pass in the 113th minute.