VFF Sonha Cup 2010: Korea's U-23 team defeated host Viet Nam 2-0

Korea’s U-23 team defeated host Viet Nam 2-0 in the first-round match of the Viet Nam Football Federation’s SONHA Cup at Ha Noi’s My Dinh Stadium.

Substitute player Jung Woo-young opened the score with a beautiful free kick from about 16.5m.

The goal was partly attributed to Vietnamese goalkeeper Duong Hong Son who found himself in the wrong position. With other players also unready, Jung made his quick shot which went over Son’s reach to enter the net at the 62nd minute.

The score was doubled in the extra time by small-sized left-wing halfback Kim Min-je who broke through Viet Nam’s defence to shoot accurately.

At least three Vietnamese defenders followed him trying to steal the ball but Kim sped up and left them behind easily. Goalie Son who was the last person in the box found no way to block the shot, which came fast and strong.

The host team might have suffered even worse if Son had failed to stop Jung’s second free kick at the 78th minute. Earlier in the first half, An Dong-hyeog also had a straight shot in the penalty area which touched a Vietnamese player before it found the right pole and went out.

The visitors, who had advantages in size and physical strength, did not waste a second to start up their attacks. They managed the ball and easily set up their domination although sometimes faced with rapid counter-attacks from Viet Nam.

In an earlier match, North Korea came from behind to beat Singapore 2-1.

After the first round, South Korea top the table with three points. North Korea, which triumphed at last month’s Millennium Thang Long Cup, follow with one goal less. Singapore, Viet Nam’s primary rival in the AFF Cup group round are third and will meet the host team in a second match today.

 — VNS