AFF U16: Stage Set for Oz-Vietnam Clash in Two Days

While Australia had an easier afternoon when they thrashed Brunei 19-0, the Vietnamese had to rely more on the physical before they were able to overcome Cambodia 6-0 in the second tie later.

Cambodia, who had beaten Brunei 8-0 in their last game, matched Vietnam for the most part in the first half before burly striker Back Hong Han broke through the Cambodian backline in the 39^th minute to give Vietnam a 1-0 lead going into the break.

Just three minutes into the second half, another push through allowed Hong Han to head home the second goal of the game off a cross from Lam Thuan. It was obvious that the physically smaller Cambodians were finding it hard going and in the 54^th minute, Vietnam went further ahead when Hoang The Thai picked up a through pass to score.

By then, the game had become less of a competition as Vietnam went on to score three more goals off Le Tien Anh (71^st minute), Hong Han (88^th) and Nguyen Doan Trung Nhan (90^th).

The only red blot on Vietnam’s win was the red card on Tien Anh in the 83^rd minute for a bad tackle on Seut Baraing.

In the meantime, Brunei suffered the biggest humiliation thus far in the competition when they were pummelled 19-0 by Australia in an earlier match in the group.

The Sultanate side who were embarrassed 8-0 by Cambodia two days ago, was again in the firing line as Australia romped to a 7-0 lead at the break off goals from Kosta Petratos (9^th minute), Riley McGree (11^th and 19^th minute), Jackson Bandiera (23^rd), Caio de Godoy (26^th), Jamie Dimitroff (33^rd) and Cameron Joice (38^th).

There was no let-up in the second half as the Aussies then went on to add further goals through Joice (51^st, 57^th, 78^th, 83^rd and 90^th), Gian Mendez (65^th, 70^th and 73^rd), McGree (82^nd), Petratos (88^th and 89^th) and Christian Verbi (90^th).