Women's Asian Cup: Vietnam miss out on World Cup spot

After a goalless first-half that Thailand edged, Sung-Ngeon needed only two minutes of the second period to open the scoring and she repeated her feat again on 64 minutes to double her side’s lead.

Nguyen Thi Tuyet’s long-range rocket with five minutes of the tie remaining ensured a grandstand finish but Chen Yun Fa’s team were unable to find a second as Thailand join AFC Women’s Asian Cup semi-finalists China, Japan, Australia and Korea Republic in heading to the World Cup in Canada next year.

With a priceless World Cup place on the lines, Thong Nhat Stadium was filled to capacity as the two sides kicked off in front of a passionate and partisan home crowd.

Yet despite the noise generated by the fans, the first half was one high on endeavor but low on opportunities on goal with neither team able to find the final ball to pierce their opponents’ backline. 

As early as the 12th minute, though, Thailand could have taken the lead as Silawan Intamee’s inswinging corner flashed across the box with Pikul Khueanpet inches away from connecting.

But although Nuengrutai Srathongvian’s side continued to win a succession of corners and set-pieces around the box in the first-half, but they were able to convert any and the 5-3-2 system of Vietnam was able to soak up the pressure thrown at them.

Chen Yun Fa’s side also struggled to create chances, however, with deep lying midfielder Darut Changplook shielding the Thai backline and nullifying much of the Vietnam counter-attack.

On the stroke of half-time Khwanrudi Saengchan’s freekick lofted into the hosts’ penalty area caused a moment’s consternation amongst the defence and the crowd alike but Vietnam goalkeeper Dang Thi Kieu Trinh was able to get a firm fist on the ball and clear it from danger seconds before the referee signaled for the break.

Just two minutes after the restart, though, Thailand got the opener their first-half effort merited as the Vietnam defenders failed to block Sung-neon’s forceful run into the penalty area and she beat Kieu Tranh with aplomb for her second goal in consecutive games after netting against Myanmar in the final round of group games.

The hosts tried to find an immediate response to the setback but too often rushed their decision-making in the final third in their haste to restore parity with wayward shots and over-hit passes upon nearing the Thailand goal.

And four minutes after the hour-mark, the deficit was doubled as Sung-neon got her second of the match in in somewhat fortuitous circumstances as her cross-cum-shot from the right flank caught Kieu Trinh wrong-footed and sneaked over the line at the near post before the goalkeeper could get back to clear in time.

Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet could have cut the lead on 70 minutes as she was set through on goal by Chuong Thi Kieu but her shot was a comfortable height for Waraporn Boonsing who stretched high to claim the ball.

With five minutes of the game remaining Tuyet Dung set up a rollercoaster finish to the tie in superlative fashion as her shot from 25-yards screamed into the top left-hand corner of the goal with Boonsing left motionless on her goal-line. 

But although the stunning effort ratcheted up the noise in the stadium to new heights, Vietnam were unable to find a second to tie the game and their hopes faded as Thailand realised their World Cup dream.