Under-20s win first AFF championship

Football Federation) youth championship after a 1-0 victory in the final over Malaysia inHo Chi Minh City on August 9.

Vietnam win the first AFF youth championship. – Photo: H.Long

In the earlier third-place off, Thailand edged past their bitter rivals, Myanmar, with a 2-0 victory.

Talking afterwards, coach Nguyen Manh Cuong said: “We and all people present at the Thanh Long Sports Training Centre are very happy. The victory is the result of great efforts by the players. They have shown their progress match after match. More importantly, they fought for national pride.⬝

Hosts Vietnam started the game with great confidence, in particular after their 3-1 impressive victory over Myanmar in the semi-finals.

However, it was Malaysia who had the first opportunity of the match after two minutes as Chee Saad finished over the bar.

The hosts replied almost immediately with Manh Dung seeing his finish go wide. A minute later Nguyen Hong Viet”s corner flew cross the Malaysian goal but no Vietnamese players could reach the final touch.

Supporters, who filled the Thanh Long Sports Training Centre stadium to capacity, had to wait six minutes to celebrate the first goal.

Skipper Duc Nhan was the player who started and finished an attack, playing one-two with Nguyen Dinh Hiep to cut through the Malaysian defence before slotting the ball past goalie Ahmad Jasad.

Ten minutes later, Hong Viet went close to extending the lead as he forced Ahmad Jasad into a flying save.

The Malaysians made to changes with Bin Saidon and Bin Alias coming in for Safii and Bin Saarini but failed to increase pressure on the Vietnamese defence.

After the break, Vietnam shifted into counter attack tactic, while Malaysia, better in the physical term, became more desperate.

As a result, gaps were seen in their defence, which almost made them to pay the price. Hong Viet produced regular threats to the Malaysian defence.

Twenty minutes into the second half, Hong Viet rounded two Malaysian defenders but his shot went across the goal mouth as Dinh Hiep failed to make his final touch.

Centreback Ngoc Anh wasted a chance with 15 minutes left as his header deflected off the ground before flew over the bar.

The Malaysians created some chances but they failed to beat Vietnam”s solid defence and goalkeeper Thanh Nam.

Winning 1-0, Vietnam have won their first AFF youth championship. After the victory, the Vietnam Football Federation was reported to have decided to award the team VND 100 million.

Before the final, Quach Thanh Lai, president of the Thanh Long Cultural and Sports Company, promised to award the team VND 100 million if the team win the championship.

– Nhan Dan –