Hosts in driving seat after Agribank Cup 2-1 victory over Thailand

The Vietnamese under-23 team have made a long step, getting closer to winning the 2005 Agribank Cup, a warm-up tournament prior to the forthcoming 23rd SEA Games in the Philippines after beating their arch-rivals Thailand 2-1 on October 28. A draw against Japanese under-20s will earn the Vietnamese trophy. Quoc Vuong and Van Quyen were named on the scoresheet for the Vietnamese under-23s. Datsakorn Thonglao scored a consolation goal for the Thais.

Coach Alfred Riedl of the Vietnamese under-23s made on changes in starting XI after a lacklustre 1-0 victory over the Malaysian under-23s in the cup opener. Van Quyen continued to win a trust from the coach to partner Thanh Binh in the forward line after wasting many good scoring opportunities in the first match.

In the first 20 minutes, it was the Thai side, who played better, launching attack after attack on the Vietnamese defensive line. After Thanh Binh”s header went wide in the fifth minute, the Thais replied immediately with Winothai finishing off a neat cross but the ball after reflecting a Vietnamese defender went wide. After that, Jakkrit Bunkham and Ekaphan Inthasen troubled the Vietnamese defenders, creating some chances. However, the Vietnamese side stood firm.

The Vietnamese under-23s regained possession and launched attacks on the Thai goal. In the 38th minute, central midfielder Quoc Vuong entertained over 40,000 home fans in the My Dinh and millions television viewers with a brilliant strike from outside the penalty box after a good returned ball from Thanh Binh.

Getting boosted with Quoc Vuong”s goal, the Vietnamese side dominated the remaining time of the first half. In the 43rd minute, Quoc Vuong, who won the ball from a Thai midfielder, made a good through ball to Van Quyen on the right flank. Van Quyen ghosted past a Thai defender and shot centimetres wide to the narrow corner.

After the break, the Thai under-23s increased their pressure on the Vietnamese defensive line to seek a leveller. However, quick temper produced a negative effect on the Thai players, whose passes and crosses were not precise.

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese side was sharp in counterattacks. In the 52nd minute, Quoc Anh made an excellent run in the left flank before finding Van Quyen”s head with a neat cross. Van Quyen, who missed many opportunities, paid his fate to the coach, scoring the second goal for the Vietnamese team.

In the 60th minute, Quoc Anh, unmarked in the box, headed Van Quyen”s freekick over the bar.

The Thai had their best scoring opportunity in the 70th minute after Vietnamese defenders all were beaten with a neat through ball from the left flank but Winothai, unmarked, stroke over the bar from just 12 metres.

The Thais” efforts paid off in the 78th minute when Thonglao stroke to the top right corner of the goal, scoring a consolation goal for the Thai under-23.

One minute later, substitute Cong Vinh, who replaced Van Quyen, was denied by the woodwork as his header beat Thai goalkeeper Kosin but hit the far corner post.

The Vietnamese and Thai under-23s created some more scoring opportunities but Cong Vinh and Winothai failed to net. The final score was 2-1 in favour of Vietnam.

Talking at a post-match press conference, coach Chanvit Phalajivin of Thailand said that he considered Vietnam among top favourites at 23rd SEA Games. The Thai coach said that the two teams played well in an open game and had the same number of opportunities. He said he highly appreciated captain Tai Em, who acted a bridge between the defensive and the attacking line of the hosts. The Thai coach said that despite not scoring in the game, Tai Em was a real quiet hero.”

Meanwhile coach Riedl of the hosts praised Quoc Vuong, who broke the deadlock with a brilliant goal. He said that Quoc Vuong made a good link-up in midfield. Apart from completing his role as a defensive midfielder, he scored a wonderful goal. Talking about the victory over Thailand, Mr Riedl said that it would be a boost for his men when the 23rd SEA Games was just one month away. Despite the defeat, the coach said that Thailand remained the top favourites at the 23rd SEA Games.

After the 2-1 victory over Thailand, the Vietnam Football Federation awarded the under-23s VND 150 million. Minister and Chairman of the Vietnam Committee for Sports and Physical Education Nguyen Danh Thai decided to award the team VND 50 million to encourage players to work for the forthcoming 23rd SEA Games.

With six points after two matches, the Vietnamese under-23s need a draw with the Japanese under-20s, who trounced the Malaysian under-23s 4-0 in earlier match, on October 30 to lift the Agribank Cup.

(Source: Nhandan)