Vietnam edge Panama to get FIFA Futsal World Cup campaign back on track
Vietnam revived their FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021 hopes with a 3-2 win over Panama in Group D action at the Klaipėda Arena on Thursday.
The win gives Vietnam renewed hope of advancing to the Round of 16 with the Southeast Asian side to play Czech Republic in their final group match on Sunday.
Despite their opening day 9-1 defeat to five-time champions Brazil, Vietnam came into the tie with enthusiasm and got off to a fine start with Nguyen Minh Tri (pictured below) opening the scoring in the second minute, with Chau Doan Phat finding the back of the net six minutes later to double their lead.
Panama, defeated 5-1 by Czech Republic on Monday, pushed back with Abdiel Castrellon reducing their deficit in the 10th minute.
The fast-paced match continued with both sides trying to assert dominance with Panama’s resilience seeing them draw level through Castrellon moments before the half-time break.
Panama held the upper hand when the match resumed, forcing Vietnam to defend but as the clock ticked away, the Southeast Asian side adopted a more aggressive approach and it paid dividends as Nguyen Van Hieu beat ‘keeper Jorge Hernandez in the 27th minute.
Panama pushed hard for the equaliser in the remaining minutes but Vietnam held on for the win which keeps them on course for a place in the knockout stage.
