MANDIRI CUP™ 2025 – REPORT: LAOS 0-3 VIETNAM
Bekasi: Nguyễn Hiểu Minh scored twice in the second half as defending champions Vietnam ground out a 3-0 win over Laos at the Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium on Saturday to make a winning start to their Group B campaign at the ASEAN U-23 Mandiri Cup™ 2025.
Khuất Văn Khang gave Kim Sang-Sik’s side the lead in the 19th minute but it took until 19 minutes before time for Hiểu Minh to double that advantage as the determined Laos defence refused to buckle.
Hiểu Minh then hit the third with six minutes remaining to take Vietnam to the top of the Group B standings while Laos remain on one point following Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Cambodia.
Only the three group winners are guaranteed to progress to the next round, where they will be joined by the runners-up with the best record.
Văn Khang had a sight of goal as play approached the quarter of an hour mark but, while his long-range free kick found a way through the Laos defensive wall, it was too weak to seriously trouble goalkeeper Kop Lokphathip.
The Vietnamese did not have to wait much longer to take the lead, however.
Nguyễn Văn Trường burst down the left flank before pulling the ball back to Nguyễn Nhật Minh, and his cross caused panic in the Laos defence with a mishit clearance falling at the feet of Văn Khang, who swept a first-time left-foot shot into the bottom corner.
Văn Khang could have added a second two minutes later but he headed over the bar from 12 yards out as the Laos defence was once again left flatfooted.
It took until the 71st minute for Vietnam to double their lead, Hiểu Minh giving the Laos goalkeeper no chance with a bullet header from Nguyễn Đình Bắc’s corner.
Hiểu Minh was then on hand to slam home Vietnam’s third as the defence failed to clear another Đình Bắc corner to put Vietnam in pole position to qualify for the next round ahead of their next game against Cambodia on Tuesday.
Mandiri Player of the Match – Nguyễn Hiểu Minh (#4), Vietnam
