Việt Nam stop their title dream at AFF U22 champs

The game was held at the Cambodia National Stadium, Phnom Penh.

A devilish free kick of Muhammad Luthfi in the 69th minute helped Indonesia beat Việt Nam to enter the final match.

Việt Nam didn’t have the best line-up in this game due to injuries so it affected their way of playing much.

Indonesia controlled the game with counter attacks since the opening whistle. Việt Nam then caught up with the speed of the game but they met difficulties in breaking the defence line of their rival.

The first half took place slowly and no goals were scored.

After the break, Indonesia fought back strongly to seek goals.

The chance came to them in the 48th minute as Marius Warewar headed nearly Vietnamese goal but goalie Phan Văn Biểu was up to the task.

Việt Nam then seemed to be exhausted because of hot sun. They were continuously besieged so coach Nguyễn Quốc Tuấn decided to use striker Lê Minh Bình to strengthen the attack line.

In the 60th minute, Việt Nam created another chance. Taking full advantage of an Indonesian midfielder’s error, their forward Trần Đức Nam faced goalie Awen Setho Raharjo but Raharjo was comfortable to save it.

Only nine minutes later, Luthfi finally broke the deadlock. He was stepped up to take the free kick and his shot took a small deflection off the defensive wall and Vietnamese goalkeeper Biểu could only watch as it landed in the net.

Striker Trần Danh Trung had Việt Nam’s last chance of the game, but his freekick from just outside the target failed to hit the target.

Việt Nam will vie for the third place of the tournament with Cambodia, who lost to Thailand 3-5 in the penalty shootout following the goalless draw in the main and extra time in the other semi-finals, tomorrow.