From Asia One
Saigon – Viet Nam’s U23 football team overcame Kyrgyzstan 1-0 in the last group match to top Group H, earning a place in the knockout stage in the football competition at the 17th Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea. Striker Vu Minh Tuan scored the only goal of the match from the penalty spot following a handball from Kyrgyzstan to set up a second-round match against United Arab Emirates, who finished second in Group G.
Striker Vu Minh Tuan of Viet Nam vies for a ball against a Kyrgyzstan player during their Asian Games’ Group H match yesterday in Incheon. Viet Nam win 1-0. (ASIA ONE)
Despite the loss, Kyrgyzstan still qualified for the knockout stage where they will face Jordan, who took Group G with two wins out of two matches.
Heading into the match with a place in the second round already secured, the Vietnamese side got off to a slow start to the match, in which the winners would take the group.
Kyrgyzstan were not in a hurry, as a draw would be enough for them to reach the last 16.
Viet Nam, however, had the first chance only five minutes into the match when Tuan’s free kick outside the penalty area drew an acrobatic save from keeper Valerii Kashuba.
Kyrgyzstan responded with a header from defender Azamat Baimatov that forced Vietnamese keeper Tran Buu Ngoc to dive down to turn the ball across the line.
Viet Nam appeared to be in control of the match and had more possessions as the match went on.
In the 22nd minute, striker Mac Hong Quan almost put Viet Nam ahead with a header that sailed inches above the crossbar.
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