U23 Vietnam trounce U23 Phillipines 3-1 in opening match
Vietnam survived some harrowing moments before they were able to score a 3-1 win over the Philippines to pick up the full points in the opening match…
Vietnam survived some harrowing moments before they were able to score a 3-1 win over the Philippines to pick up the full points in the opening match (3/11) of Group B of the men’s football event at the SEA Games this evening at the Stadion Utama Gelora Bung Karno.
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Squad of U23 Viet Nam |
The score line to say the least was flattering to the 2009 runners-up with the Philippines deservedly taking the lead in the 37th minute off Manny Ott before Philippines captain Mattew Hartmann’s own goal in the 59th minute put Vietnam back on track.
Vietnam then scored two further goals off Le Hoang Thien in the 72nd minute and Nguyen Van Quyet in the last minute of play for the final score line.
“The problem with us in the game against Vietnam was the fact that we had several players who were still jet-lagged from their long flight (from Europe) and that was the reason why they could not play at the optimum level”, said Philippines chief coach Michael Weiss.
“This is certainly a lesson for us in as far as getting players well ahead of competition schedule. Also the different weather condition between Indonesia and Europe was also a factor,” added Weiss.
In the meantime, Vietnam coach Falko Goetz must have suffered some anxious moments at the bench, watching his charger missing sitters, open goal, open headers and practically every other chance that came their way – not to mention too, their inability to better Muller.
But Goetz remained adamant where at the end of the day; it was the three points that mattered. The score line was not important.
“For me, I’m just satisfied that we can the full points. That was important,” said Goetz.
“The first game of the competition is always difficult and I had expected it to be so. But credit to my boys where despite the several frustrations, they kept at it and made sure that they pick up the full points.
“It can be demoralizing when you fall behind after being in control. But the lads showed the quality and the mental strength to stage a comeback.”
Squad of U23 Viet Nam:
Goalkeeper: Tuan Manh
Defender: Van Hoan, Huynh Phu, Anh Quang, Ngoc Anh
Midfielder: Trong Hoang (Van Binh 81’), Hoang Thinh (Xuan Hieu 46’), Thanh Luong, Thanh Trung (Hoang Thien 46’)
Striker: Van Thang, Van Quyet.
