Hero Vu Phong"s brace help Vietnam make history

Midfielder Nguyen Vu Phong became a hero, scoring a brace to help Vietnam win 2-1 over Indonesia in their final group match of the second qualifying round of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, thus reaching the final qualifying round for the first time in Vietnamese football.

Vu Phong, who returned to the Olympic team, after missing the team”s 1-0 defeat in Beirut, Lebanon, in May, opened the scoring after seven minutes. He sealed a 2-1 victory with a stunning strike in stoppage time.

Between Vu Phong”s goals, Achmad Jufriyanto scored a leveller for the Indonesian.  

The victory sent the Vietnamese through to the final qualifying round regardless of the result of the match between Oman and Lebanon, which had been scheduled to take place at the same time with the match between Vietnam and Indonesia in Hanoi. However, the match between Oman and Lebanon was reportedly cancelled due to typhoon Gono.

Speaking at a press conference, Vietnam coach Alfred Rield, spoke highly of Vu Phong, saying: SHe was one of the players who gave good performance in the match.⬝

The Vietnamese team benefited from Vu Phong”s good shape when skipper Le Cong Vinh and his partner Phan Thanh Binh looked a shadow of Vietnamese football”s most dangerous strikers. Cong Vinh made only an impact, indirectly creating a chance for Vu Phong to score the opener, as his freekick was difficult for Indonesia”s goalkeeper Ronitri Prasnanto to save and he fumbled the ball onto Vu Phong”s path and the midfielder found the top of the net from close range.

SSome of our key players could not give a good performance and it affected the whole team. However, the victory was a good result and we were the better side and deserved to win,⬝ said Mr Riedl.

The Vietnamese team dominated the match in the first 20 minutes, when shower were seen at the My Dinh national stadium. Vu Phong could have scored a hat-trick if he had not wasted a good opportunity on 12 minutes, sidenetting, after a good cross by Nguyen Anh Duc from the right flank.

Vu Phong was denied by Prasnanto, who turned Vu Phong”s powerful strike around the post six minutes from time. The Vietnamese player made a cut in and powered a finish, which was saved.

Chau Phong Hoa, who was given a chance to play at leftback after Nguyen Van Bien was sidelined due to an injury, tried his luck with a powerful shot from outside the box, which was tipped over the bar by Prasnanto.

Substitute Huynh Phuc Hiep came close to extending the gap, heading against the crossbar after a good cross from Phong Hoa.

The Indonesian, who failed to show a cutting edge, earned a surprise equaliser, with two minutes left. After Duc Cuong made a good save, turning Ahmad Bustomi”s freekick up right, Jufriyanto”s quick volley gave the Vietnamese goalie no chances.

Vietnam have made history, having reached the final qualifying round of the Olympic Games. (Photo: VTC).

After Anh Duc wasted a good chance, blasting over, and the Indonesians won a freekick outside the box, the Vietnamese team”s head coach and his assistants were seen worrying.

SWe worried all the time during the match as we failed to produce a good performance. The Indonesians did not play an open football. They played with a massive defence with four defenders and five midfielders. Therefore, it was difficult for us to attack.⬝

However, Vu Phong became the hero, powering a shot, which deflected off the post, giving goalie Prasnanto no chance.

Talking about his team”s defeat, Indonesia”s coach Bambang said: SVietnam are strong for us. Vietnam is getting better and better in the region and deserved to win.⬝

Nhan dan