Van Quyen stars as under-23s beat Singapore in SEA Games opener

Striker Pham Van Quyen starred to help the Vietnamese under-23 team, scoring two goals, to gain a good start at the 23rd SEA Games, beating the Singaporean under-23s 2-1 in their first match. 

The under-23s started the game with a 4-4-2 formation and players, who played at the Agribank Cup. Starting XI of the Vietnamese under-23s include goalkeeper Bui Quang Huy, defenders Tran Hai Lam, Nguyen Minh Duc, Le Bat Hieu and Le Van Truong, midfielders Le Tan Tai, Le Quoc Vuong, Phan Van Tai Em and Huynh Quoc Anh, forwards Phan Thanh Binh and Pham Van Quyen.

In the first minutes, Singapore dominated the game but they were unable to crack well-placed defence of the Vietnamese under-23s.

The Vietnamese under-23s played better after eight minutes as they had their first opportunity. Tan Tai ran past two Singaporean defenders from the right flank into the penalty box before making a neat pass for a midfielder to finish but the strike was not strong enough to beat Singaporean keeper Lionel Lewis.

The Vietnamese under-23s regained the control and began to keep pressure on the Singaporean defence. However, they went down 1-0 in the 25th minute. Bin Ishak broke the offside trap before lobbing over advancing goalkeeper Quang Huy to open the scoring.

Going 1-0 down, the Vietnamese under-23s failed to organise their attacks, which were easily broken down by a well-organised defence of Singapore.

Minutes from halftime, the under-23s had a good opportunity to level the score. Thanh Binh”s good return set up Van Quyen but the Singaporean goalkeeper made an excellent save, driving the ball off the goal.

The Singaporeans replied immediately, having a good chance to double the lead but goalkeeper Quang Huy denied the Singaporean striker.

However, the under-23s levelled the score with Van Quyen”s freekick deflecting over unlucky Lionel Lewis.

Four minutes into second half, Van Quyen scored his second goal, finishing off Quoc Anh”s good cross from the left, which beat all Singaporean defenders.

Having boosted by Van Quyen”s goal, the Vietnamese team played better, creating some more scoring goals. In the 54th minute, Hai Lam gave an excellent run from the centre of the pitch before shoting in the crossbar.

Cong Vinh, who replaced Thanh Binh, and Van Quyen had opportunities but failed to net.

In an effort to seek an equaliser, the Singaporean defence exposed dead gap and the Vietnamese under-23s had some opportunities more but Van Quyen and Quoc Vuong failed to score.

With first three points, the Vietnamese under-23s are now second in Group B, behind Laos, who gained a surprise 3-2 victory over Myanmar.

They next play against leaders Laos on November 22. 

*  Coach Riedl: Praises should be given to players

Talking to the press after the under-23s” 2-1 victory over Singapore in their 23rd SEA Games opener, coach Alfred Riedl said that praises should be given to his players, according to the Sports Daily.

The newspaper quoted the coach as saying that in the first half his men did not play well, failing to link-up well. The forward line wasted some opportunities. In the second half, they played better, completed all they were asked to do by the coaching board. The coach went on to say that some people may have thought that his men were lucky to win three points but without their brave efforts like soldiers, luck could not have come.

Talking about the under-23s” next opponents, Laos, Mr Riedl said that Laos would be tough opponents for the under-23s like other teams.

Midfielder Quoc Vuong, who made an outstanding run in the second half, said that in the first 45 minutes the team did not play well but during the break, coach Riedl encouraged his men”s confidence and morale. The midfielder went on to say that the Vietnamese side played better and gain a crucial victory.

Meanwhile, coach Avramovic recognised his men had been outplayed by the Vietnamese under-23s, who deserved the win. The coach of the Singaporean under-23s said that his men were unlucky not to gain a good result in the match

(NhanDan)