AFF Suzuki Cup 2014: Laos 0 Vietnam 3

Minh Tuan opened the scoring for the 2008 winners, who were held to a 2-2 draw by Indonesia in the weekend’s tournament opener, midway through the first half in Hanoi before late goals from recalled striker Cong Vinh and Huy Hung denied a hard-working Laos side who had defended deeply for the majority of the contest.

And with Philippines earlier easing to a 4-0 win over Indonesia to secure qualification for the semi-finals with a game to spare, Vietnam can follow suit with Toshiya Miura’s side only needing a draw against the Azkals on Friday to return to the knockout stage having failed to progress in 2012.

“The performance today, especially in the first half, I was not satisfied with because they tried to keep it 0-0 for as long as possible. They stayed back with typical tactics and discipline for weak teams, but we have many attacking players and defenders who made mistakes in decisions, so I was unhappy. The second half was much better I think,” said Vietnam’s Japanese coach Miura.

“We had enough chances to score. Today could have been 6-0, but that is football. But at least we had many chances and it is OK, so we are looking forward to the next game.”

Laos’ plan was plain to see from the first whistle with striker Khampheng Sayavutth, who opened the scoring in the 4-1 defeat by the Philippines, spending a considerable amount of time in the centre of defence.

But after being pinned back inside their own half for the majority of the first half, Laos were finally caught out after 27 minutes as patient build-up from the home side eventually led to recalled captain Le Tan Tai playing a defence-splitting slide-rule pass into the on-rushing Minh Tuan behind a static defence and the midfielder stooped to slide the ball past advancing goalkeeper Sengathit Somvang from inside the penalty area.

And Vietnam came close to doubling their advantage either side of the hour mark as Huy Hung first struck the foot of the post before Minh Tuan was denied by a point-blank save from Laos goalkeeper Sengathit.

Laos posed a moderate threat on the counterattacks as the half progressed, but David Booth’s side rarely committed numbers going forward and Vietnam were able to deal with the visitors to hold on to their slender advantage.

And Vietnam sealed the win inside the final 10 minutes as first Cong Vinh followed up from inside the six-yard area after Sengathit could only palm Tan Tai’s low angled shot into the path of the waiting striker with four minutes remaining before Huy Hung netted from close range two minutes later with the Laos custodian given no chance.

“The result could have been 1-0, but in the last 10 minutes we decided we had to try and do something. We make no excuse for how we played,” said Laos coach Booth.

“If we come here and attack, attack, attack, maybe we could have been beaten by four, five or six goals. The last 10 minutes was because we moved players around. We could have kept it at 1-0, but what good would that have done.

“We gave them a problem and it is up to them to solve that problem.”