Hosts Vietnam and Malaysia make SEA under-20 final

Hosts Vietnam will compete for the Southeast Asian under-20 title with Malaysia on August 9, after beating Myanmar 3-1 in the semi-finals in Ho Chi Minh City on August 7.

Pham Van Quy (centre) scored the third goal to send Vietnam to the final. (Photo: VTC).

The Vietnamese side took a 2-1 lead before half-time with goals by Nguyen Dinh Hiep and Nguyen Hong Viet. Min Ko Ko narrowed the gap for Myanmar before Pham Van Quy, who came in for Hoang Van Binh, scored the third goal for the hosts.

Vietnam started their semi-final game against Myanmar in an aggressive fashion, launching attacks on the Myanmar defence. Tran Manh Dung and Hong Viet posed regular threats on theMyanmar goal.

However, the hosts broke the deadlock on the half hour mark as Dinh Hiep headed home after Chu Ngoc Anh”s good cross.

Ten minutes later, Tran Tan Dat was fouled in the penalty box and Hong Viet made no mistakes in converting a spot kick, which was given by Thai referee Chaiya Alee, extendingVietnam”s advantage.

A minute later, Min Ko Ko narrowed the gap for Myanmar, cutting the Vietnamese defence to head home.   

In the second half, Vietnam continued to dominate the game, creating more chances but successfully converted once with substitute Pham Van Quy

finding the net five minutes from time

After the victory, the Vietnam Football Federation”s website reported that the Vietnamese team were awarded VND 30 million by the federation and VND 50 million by Quach Thanh Lai, president of the Thanh Long Cultural and Sports Company.

Vietnam: Nguyen Thanh Tung, Chu Ngọc Anh, Vu Ngọc Anh, Nguyen Van Nam, Nguyen Chi Huynh, Tran Tan Dat, Nguyen Hong Viet, Nguyen Duc Nhan, Hoang Van Binh, Tran Mạnh Dung and Nguyen Dinh Hiep (17)

Myanmar: Nay Hlaing, Nay Aung, Than Tun Aung, Yan Myo Aung, Zaw Naing Tun, Zin Myo Aung, Ko Ko Maung, Myint Naing, Min Ko Ko, Wai Lin, Kyaw Kyaw Khine and Aung Kyaw Myo

In another semi-final match, Malaysia shocked Thailand with a 2-1 victory. In three minutes, from 78^th to 80^th, the Malaysians scored two goals by Ahmad Saarani and Yusaini.

Yodrak scored a goal for Thailand on 81 minutes but it was not enough to help Thailand stay in the game.

The Thais dominated the game but were unlucky as they were denied by the woodwork in the first half.

Meanwhile, Malaysia, who opted to play a counter attacking football, were successful in converting two of their few chances

– Nhan Dan –