VN win, bolster Olympic hopes

Vietnam trounced Oman 2-0 in the second qualifying match for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games at the National My Dinh Stadium last night.

The win puts Vietnam on top of group C with nine points, raising public hopes the team will make it to the knockout stage of the Olympic qualifiers.

Half-back Nguyen Vu Phong scored the first goal two minutes into the game on a corner kick from the left side of the pitch.

Oman remained calm, pressing the Vietnamese defence to find an equaliser, but on 31 minutes Nguyen Minh Chuyen doubled the home sides lead on pass from Mai Tien Thanh. Chuyen lobbed the ball to the back of Oman’s net.

Oman launched a series of attacks, but were repeatedly rejected by Vietnam’s defence and goalkeeper Tran Duc Cuong.

The hosts nearly found their third goal in the 41st minute from another corner kick. Nguyen Vu Phong struck the ball wide from close range.

In the second half, Vietnam primarily sat back in defensive, mounting deep attacks on occasion to keep Oman on their toes.

VNS