Cong Phuong scores a great goal, Vietnam wins against Palestine

Coach Park Hang-seo and his team continued to demonstrate their bravery and fighting spirit, as they did in the 2018 AFC U23 Championship finals. Despite falling behind midway through the first half, the home team scored two goals in seven minutes to beat Palestine. With three points, Vietnam leads the U23 International Championship after the first round. The next two teams are Oman and Uzbekistan, who shared points in the match at 4:30 p.m. on August 3. Palestine is at the bottom with no points.

The victory for Vietnam was completely deserved with what the red team showed in 90 minutes. Van Quyet and his teammates proactively attacked in the first 15 minutes of each half. There were many opportunities, and that created a comfortable mentality for Cong Phuong to create a masterpiece in the second half.

Cong Phuong had a goal and an assist on the evening of August 3. Photo: Ngoc Thanh.

Cong Phuong was the most outstanding player on the evening of August 3.In the 3-5-2 formation at the start of the match, HAGL's striker was the one who played lower, playing the role of a bridge between the midfield and striker Anh Duc. Coach Park Hang-seo also gave the 23-year-old striker freedom to play, allowing him to use his speed and technique to create breakthroughs. It was from such a move that Cong Phuong helped Anh Duc score.

In the 45th minute, the silver medalist of the 2018 U23 Asian Cup confidently broke through the white shirt defenders. He passed a Palestinian defender, then passed the ball right to Anh Duc's position. The Binh Duong captain used a moment to control the ball, brought it to his left foot, and shot low into the near corner, past the West Asian representative.

Anh Duc's goal relieved the home team's nerves, which were under pressure after conceding a goal in the 29th minute. In the first clear combination from the start of the match, 19-year-old striker Oday Dabbagh ran across, defeated Dinh Trong in the challenge, before heading the ball into the far corner, past Van Lam.

Cong Phuong had an exemplary performance in the goal that increased the score. He stopped the ball with one touch, then waited for space and observed. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

In addition to the opening goal, Palestine's number 9 striker also threatened Van Lam's goal many times. Most notably were the two shots in the last 15 minutes of the match, but Dabbagh's aim was no longer as accurate as in the first 45 minutes.

Dabbagh’s wastefulness contrasted with Cong Phuong’s performance. After setting up Anh Duc for the equalizer late in the first half, the HAGL striker got on the scoresheet himself with a classy close-range volley. Seven minutes into the second half, Quang Hai poked the ball from the right wing right into Cong Phuong’s path. The 23-year-old controlled the ball for a moment, then swung his leg and fired the ball into the far corner, sending the Palestinian net flying for the second time.

Coach Park Hang-seo was probably the happiest person after this goal. Both of Vietnam's main strikers scored. Compared to the U23 Asian Cup finals, this was a clear improvement in scoring efficiency, because the main scorer, contributing five of Vietnam's eight goals, was Quang Hai, a winger. The Korean coach could have been happier if Anh Duc's flying header in the 42nd minute had not hit the post.

Anh Duc celebrates equalizing the score against Palestine. Photo: Lam Thoa.

Winning the opening match against a highly rated opponent like Palestine was a successful result for Vietnam. However, coach Park Hang-seo and his team still have some weaknesses in defense, especially concentration. In the 62nd minute, goalkeeper Van Lam slipped carelessly, letting the ball fall right in front of a Palestinian player. If the opponent had been sharper, Vietnam could have lost the victory.

However, the final victory and the steady mentality after being behind continued to be the hallmark of the Korean coach. Vietnam maintained the image of tenacity, as shown in Changzhou, China, and will be a formidable opponent at the 2018 ASIAD.