AFC FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIP: VIETNAM 5-4 CHINESE TAIPEI

Chinese Taipei opened the scoring inside five minutes through Lin Chih-hung before a penalty from captain Nguyen Bao Quan and Phung Trong Luan’s goal saw the Vietnamese take a 2-1 lead into the interval.

Chen Yung-Sheng’s side drew level through Chi Sheng-Fa five minutes after the restart, but Le Quoc Nam and Tran Long Vu then put Vietnam two goals to the good.

Lin’s second shortly after kept the game on a knife edge, but Ngoc Son’s strike five minutes from time was enough to win the game despite Huang Po Chun’s late goal.

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“We are very happy with the victory because the first game is usually very difficult and it was hard to play against a counter-attacking team,” said Vietnam coach Bruno Formoso.

“We had the advantage as we had 48 shots on goal; we were 4-2 and 5-3 up but they scored one lucky goal and another after a mistake.

“We needed to keep calm after they scored, and we can now use this game to learn and improve.”

Chinese Taipei went in front in the fourth minute when Lin’s powerful strike from the right flew past goalkeeper Nguyen Van Huy.

But less than a minute later Vietnam were awarded a penalty when Fu Li-Wei upended Ngoc Son in the box and Bao Quan converted the ensuing spot-kick.

Bruno Formoso’s team then went in front on six minutes after Trong Luan held off the Chinese Taipei defence and turned to slot home.

Vietnam started the second half the brighter with both Long Vu and Trong Luan drawing saves from custodian Fu as Chinese Taipei struggled to keep hold of the ball.

But after Chi twice saw on-target efforts deflected over the crossbar, he then acrobatically steered the ball into the net from close in to level the scoring after Vietnam failed to clear a corner from the left.

The Southeast Asians restored their advantage in the 28thminute, though, when Duong Anh Tung slipped in Quoc Nam, who coolly curled into the bottom right corner from the right side of the penalty area.

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And as Chinese Taipei chased the game by playing with five outfield players, Vietnam opened up a two-goal lead at the midway stage of the half when Bao Quan played in Long Vu to tap into an empty net.

But a minute later Chen’s team restored hope when Lin notched his double on the turn before Anh Tung squared for Ngoc Son to tap home four minutes from time.

The scoring was not over yet, though, as Shih Wei played the ball back for Huang to confidently dispatch past Van Huy to ensure an exciting climax.

 “I think the first penalty that was given was crucial. If that didn’t happen we maybe could have controlled the game,” said Chinese Taipei coach Chen.

“Our number five also got injured during a power play so we had to change our strategy. If he could have played in the last 10 minutes maybe we could have won.

“But I’m satisfied with my boys’ overall performance.”