Viet Nam fall 1-2 to tough Uzbek assault at home

Even Phan Thanh Binh”s wish to score against Uzbekistan at My Dinh National Stadium for Viet Nam on his birthday yesterday was not enough to save the team from a 1-2 defeat.

The game, part of the annual Agribank Cup 2007, was the first time the two teams have met after their 2-2 draw in the VTV Cup in Viet Nam last year.

The match started badly for hosts Viet Nam as Marat Bikmaev opened the score for the visitors only eight minute from the starting whistle.

The 21-year-old striker took the advantage as his teammate bounced the ball against Vietnamese goalkeeper Nguyen Duc Cuong, who failed to save the goal a second time as Bikmaev ran to the box and tapped in the empty net.

Bikmaev, who is playing for Russian Rubin Kazan team has netted five goals for his national team so far.

The talented forward, known for his speed and skilful left foot, continued his offence with several attacks in the first half.

As Uzbekistan mounted consecutive assaults, Viet Nam strikers Nguyen Anh Duc and Le Cong Vinh found it difficult to find holes in their rivals defence and both players failed to get into Uzbekistan”s penalty area.

This left the hosts” midfielder and halfback Nguyen Vu Phong, Nguyen Duy Nam and Phung Cong Minh to fire the shots instead of their forwards.

Phong made at least two long-distance attempts at Uzbekistan”s net but they were not strong enough to beat keeper Eldor.

Skies brightened a bit for Viet Nam in the second half as Cong Vinh and Anh Duc were replaced by Nguyen Quang Hai and Phan Thanh Binh, whose wish to score on his 21st birthday came true at the 67th minute.

Quang Hai, winner of U-21 Best Scorer was faulted in the left of the penalty box, giving Viet Nam a free kick. Thanh Binh took the advantage with a curve ball to level for the hosts.

The goal fired up the Vietnamese side who continued the game on a more aggressive attack, which nearly led to another goal as Thanh Binh took a lone pass from the midfield to face off with Eldor after a lone pass from the midfield.

But the 21-year-old failed to score the second time.

The deciding score came in the 80th minute as Usmankhodjaev, guilty of setting up Viet Nam”s earlier free kick, redeemed himself with a second goal for Uzbekistan.

After a right corner kick, the ball passed between players in the Vietnamese box before coming to Usmankhodjaev who made a clear and straight shot to the net.

With yesterday”s victory, Uzbekistan stand second following Olympic Finland who came from behind to beat Olympic Zimbabwe 3-2 in the previous match.

Viet Nam will play Zimbabwe, while Uzbekistan face Finland in the next matches tomorrow.

The four teams will compete in a round robin match, with the winner taking home US$40,000 in prize money. Second place get $20,000 and third place $10,000

VNS