LG Cup 2005: The Vietnamese under-23s remain on top of the table

The Vietnamese under-23s have made a crucial step to lift the LG Cup after a 0-0 draw against their strongest rivals, Syrian under-21s, in Ho Chi Minh City on the second match day, September 22. In the final match, the under-23s will play against defending champions, Korean students, who have no chance to retain their trophy after the second defeat to Bulgarian under-23s.

The clash between host under-23s and the Syrian under-21 team was considered as an early final” of the 2005 LG Cup as the two sides gained three points after the first match: Vietnamese under-23s beat Bulgarian under-23s 4-2 and the Syrian young players beat Korean students 3-2.

The Vietnamese team had a change in their starting eleven as Quang Thanh replaced Phuoc Vinh in midfield, who partner Minh Duc at centreback instead of sidelined Bat Hieu.

The Syrian team proved their candidature to win the cup, threatening the host goal right after kick-off. Host goalkeeper Quang Huy was tested with a powerful freekick from outside the penalty box. However, the Vietnamese goalkeeper made a good save. With better fitness, the Syrian side continued to dominate the game, troubling the hosts” defensive line with shots from outside the penalty box.

In the 16th minute, Quoc Vuong, who was voted as Man of the Match in the first game against Bulgarian under-23s, failed to clear a corner kick, landing the Vietnamese team in quandry. However, Tan Tai cleared the ball to safety.

The hosts had their first opportunities in the 20th minute when Quoc Vuong and Quoc Anh combined to set up Van Quyen with a neat through ball in the penalty box, but the striker missed the opportunity. From then on, the hosts played better.

In the final minute, Minh Duc, who was eventual Man of the Match, gifted the Syrian side a good opportunity when he failed to stop the ball in the penalty box but the Syrian forward shot wide.

After the interval, the hosts improved their performance, playing counterattacking football. In the first minute of the second half, both Van Quyen and Thanh Binh failed to finish off Tan Tai”s through ball. In the 53rd minute, Tan Tai set up Quang Thanh, whose shot was blocked by goalkeeper Al Hafez.

From the 76th minute, Syria went down to ten men after Sahiwni was sent off after a fault against Quoc Anh. Despite a numerical advantage, the Vietnamese side failed to score. In the 83rd minute, Cong Vinh defeated the Syrian goalkeeper, heading in Van Truong”s cross but the ball deflected over the bar.

In an earlier match, the Bulgarian team beat Korean students 1-0.

The Vietnamese under-23s remain on top of the table with four points like Syrian under-21s but the hosts lead on goal difference.

(Source: Nhan Dan)