Vietnam's super-attacking lineup was powerless against Myanmar's net.

In the opening minutes of the match, the ball was mainly in Vietnam's half. Both teams played slowly but fiercely contested in the midfield. Myanmar had more possession, but the home team hadn't created any clear scoring opportunities against the goal defended by Van Lam.

Myanmar's main attacking focus in the early minutes of the match was on the flanks. When the home team got the ball across the 16.5-meter line, they often tried to penetrate deep into the Vietnamese defense rather than crossing the ball into the penalty area. Meanwhile, Coach Park Hang-seo's players patiently waited for opportunities on counter-attacks.

It wasn't until the 22nd minute that the Vietnamese team accelerated and broke through Myanmar's penalty area. Phan Van Duc received the ball and confidently penetrated deep into the box to find the best scoring opportunity, but his shot was blocked by a home player who closed in in time.

In the 24th minute, Myanmar responded with a familiar quick counter-attack. The ball was passed back to the center for Lwin Moe Aung, who surged forward and attempted a right-footed shot from 30 meters out, but goalkeeper Van Lam dived and caught the ball.

Phan Văn Đức had his second left-footed shot inside the Myanmar penalty area in the 28th minute. This time it was a high shot, but the ball grazed a Myanmar player before flying over the crossbar. These consecutive shots caused some disarray in the Myanmar defense.

After a few minutes of probing, Vietnam and Myanmar played a more open game. In the 35th minute, it was Vietnam's turn to be under threat from a corner kick, with goalkeeper Van Lam rushing out but missing the target. Fortunately, a subsequent shot from a Myanmar player hit Anh Duc in the face.

The best scoring opportunity for the Vietnamese team in the first half was Quang Hai's dazzling run. In the 36th minute, the ball was crossed into Myanmar's penalty area and Phan Van Duc moved to find the right spot to volley towards the far corner, but unfortunately, the ball hit the post and bounced out.

Immediately after this situation, Quang Hai's one-touch shot was unsuccessful, but he still managed to control the ball. He skillfully evaded an opposing player and unleashed a powerful low shot, but goalkeeper Zin Htet made an excellent save for the home team. Vietnam continued to create dangerous situations, but the first half ended without any goals.

Vietnam's defense is still playing quite well. Photo: VFF

After the break, Hung Dung and Trong Hoang were brought in to replace Van Quyet and Xuan Truong. At this point, Van Duc would play higher up the pitch as an attacking midfielder on the left wing. Clearly, this helped the Vietnamese attack play more fluidly.

A few minutes after coming on, Trong Hoang broke through on the right wing and crossed the ball into the penalty area for Anh Duc. Unfortunately, the Myanmar defender closely marked the Vietnamese striker and cleared the ball right at the feet of the player who had scored two goals in the 2018 AFF Cup.

Pushing forward in attack, the Vietnamese team left gaps in their defense, forcing goalkeeper Van Lam to make a diving save to deny a shot from outside the penalty area by a Myanmar player in the 53rd minute. In the following minutes, Cong Phuong had the most opportunities.

However, in a half where the Vietnamese team increased the pressure and caused many difficulties for Myanmar, the referee made some questionable decisions. For example, Cong Phuong fell in the Myanmar penalty area after a collision with the opposing goalkeeper, but the Qatari referee signaled for the game to continue in the 75th minute.

Striker Van Toan and his disallowed goal. Photo: Duc Dong

Unable to score, coach Park Hang-seo brought on his trump card, Nguyen Van Toan – a player with a knack for finding the net against Myanmar – to replace Cong Phuong. Finally, the Myanmar net was shaken by Van Toan's rebound shot, but the linesman raised the flag for offside.

Earlier, Quang Hai unleashed a powerful shot from outside the penalty area towards the far corner, forcing the Myanmar goalkeeper to push the ball away. This was a very sensitive and unclear situation, leading many to question the referee's decision.

For the remainder of the match, the Vietnamese team continued to maintain an open attacking style but were powerless against Myanmar's scientific and disciplined defensive play. However, the excellent performance of the opposing goalkeeper must also be mentioned. Statistics show that Vietnam had 5 shots on target in this match.

In the end, Vietnam drew 0-0 with Myanmar. This result was not enough to help Coach Park Hang-seo's team secure first place in the group with 7 points after 3 matches, while still keeping a clean sheet. After this match, the Vietnamese national team's attack will need to improve its finishing if it wants to advance further.

STARTING LINEUP

Vietnam: Van Lam, Ngoc Hai, Dinh Trong, Duy Manh, Van Hau, Van Duc, Xuan Truong, Quang Hai, Van Quyet, Cong Phuong, Anh Duc.

Myanmar: Zin Htet - Nanda Kyaw, Soe Moe Kyaw, Win Moe Kyaw, Min Tun - Bo Bo, Moe Aung - Mg Lwin, Thu Aung, Phyoe Wai - Aung Thu.

Video of Myanmar 0-0 Vietnam: Referee "robs" Van Toan of a goal.

(Baonghean.vn) - In the 76th minute, Quang Hai unleashed a powerful shot from outside the penalty area, forcing goalkeeper Zin Htet to push the ball away. Just minutes after coming on, Van Toan was there to tap the ball into the net from close range against Myanmar. However, the second assistant referee raised the flag for offside, and the Qatari referee blew the whistle to disallow the goal.