Good start as under-23s beat Malaysia 3-1

A brace by skipper Le Cong Vinh and a goal by substitute Vo Duy Nam helped the Vietnam under-23 team make a good start at the 24th SEA Games as they beat Malaysia 3-1.

Skipper Cong Vinh scored a brace and set up one as under-23s beat Malaysia 3-1. (Photo: Thanh Nien Online).

Skipper Cong Vinh scored a brace and set up one as under-23s beat Malaysia 3-1. (Photo: Thanh Nien Online).

Cong Vinh broke the deadlock two minutes into the second half and added another five minutes after the hour mark.

Duy Nam, who came off the bench for Nguyen Minh Chuyen, added the third goal ten minutes left.

Before Duy Nam”s goal, Mohd Razak headed a goal for Malaysia.

Vietnam started the game against Malaysia with Cong Vinh, Thanh Binh and Tan Tai surviving from a 2-1 victory over Malaysia in the semi-finals of the 23rd SEA Games in the Philippines two years ago.

Meanwhile, Malaysia had no survivors.

Vietnam were the better side in the first half but failed to show a cutting edge. Their clear chance in the first half went to Cong Vinh two minutes before half-time.

Released by Quang Thanh, Cong Vinh failed to beat advancing Malaysian goalie Syed Adney, who used his chest to deny the Vietnamese skipper.

Malaysia increased the pace and threatened the Vietnam defence right after the break, Zambri, unmarked, blasted the ball over the bar right in the Vietnamese box.

After that scare, Cong Vinh broke the deadlock. Receiving a long ball from the Vietnamese half, the skipper produced a quick shot from outside the penalty box, which gave Syed Adney no chance.

Cong Vinh was the best Vietnamese player in the match, who doubled the lead 17 minutes later.

After Quang Thanh provided a through ball, Cong Vinh beat two Malaysian defenders and shot to the far corner.

Going 2-0 up, coach Alfred Rield”s men showed their lack of concentration, which was capitalised on by the Malaysians.

Three Vietnamese defenders, including Long Giang, Viet Cuong and Nhat Tan, who came in for Chau Phong Hoa, were flat-footed to see Razak head home.

Duy Nam, who came in for Minh Chuyen, helped Vietnam run away with the game by scoring the third goal from his first touch of the ball.

Skipper Cong Vinh was smart to pass the ball through two Malaysian defenders for Duy Nam, who lobbed the ball over advancing Syed Adney.

Vietnam will have another crucial match on December 3 against their bitter rivals Singapore.

– Nhan Dan –