ASIAD football: Thanh Binh"s hat-trick earns Olympic team 5-1 victory over Bangladesh

The Vietnamese Olympic team produced impressive run in the second half to edge out Bangladesh with four goals after the two sides drew 1-1 in the first half. Striker Phan Thanh Binh, who replaced Anh Duc in starting XI, hit a hat-trick in the game.

The Vietnamese Olympic team had two changes in their starting XI with Duc Cuong coming in for Vinh Loi, who made mistakes in the first two matches, costing Vietnam defeats, and forward Thanh Binh for Anh Duc to partner Le Cong Vinh.

As Olympic Vietnam and Olympic Bangladesh had been eliminated from the 15th Asian Games, their clash was face-saving for both teams.

In the 12th minute, Md Jahid Hassan Ameli shot just centimetres wide. The Vietnamese side replied instantly with Cong Vinh”s powershot from outside the penalty box.  Goalkeeper M N Shakhil palmed the ball away, which hit the post and deflected onto the path of Thanh Binh, who slotted in the opener.

In the 20th minute, Thanh Binh”s header deflected went over the bar after a good work by his partner Cong Vinh.

Four minutes from half-time, Motiur Rahman Munna, unmarked, headed in an equaliser from a close range, after Rajani Kanta Barman”s freekick.  

Two minutes into the second half, the Vietnamese team restored their one goal lead. Cong Vinh robbed the ball from Md Ariful Islam Ariful and squared past Kazi Nazrul Islam Nazrul and shot to the far corner. Goalkeeper Shakhil blocked Cong Vinh”s shot but Thanh Binh was quick enough to fire home the rebound.

Thanh Binh, who had struggled to find his top form through three invitational tournaments, SH Capital Bank Cup, Agribank Cup and Bach Viet Cup, completed his historical hat-trick two minutes later. Rightback Quang Thanh was quicker than Md Zahid Hossain Zahid to get the ball from Kazi Nazrul Islam Nazrul and cut the ball back to Thanh Binh, who chipped the ball over Bangladesh goalkeeper Shakhil. 

The Vietnamese dominated the game with Vu Phong, Tan Tai and Cong Vinh coming close. In the 58th minute, Vu Phong finished over the bar. The left midfielder, unmarked, had enough time and space to chest down Quang Thanh”s cross before shooting high.

In one minute, Tan Tai”s two consecutive finishes and Cong Vinh”s header failed to find the net. Tan Tai”s first attempt was block by a Bangladesh defender and his second slotted finish was saved by Shakhil. Cong Vinh beat substitute Md Mohiuddin Ibnul Siraji in the air but his far post header was parried away by the Bangladesh goalkeeper.

In the 72nd minute, Cong Vinh made goalkeeper Shakhil pay the price for his mistake, scoring the fourth goal and the goalkeeper failed to save Van Bien”s apparently harmless cross, and Cong Vinh fired home the rebound.

Four minutes later, Tan Tai, who produced a good run in the game against the Republic of Korea, scored his first Asian Games goal. Minh Chuyen made a through ball for Thanh Binh, whose shot was blocked by Shakhil but Tan Tai was present to tap the deflected ball in.

With the game apparently won, coach Riedl gave chance for substitutes unused in previous games, Quy Suu and Minh Thien, who went in for Minh Chuyen and Vu Phong.

Thanh Binh was also rested with Anh Duc coming in for him.

Winning the match, the Olympic team finished third in Group B with three points, scoring six goals and conceded five.  

NhanDan