Narrow win over Indonesia, Vietnam team takes top spot in ASEAN Cup

On the evening of December 15, at Viet Tri Stadium - Phu Tho,Vietnam teamgo to the 3rd match against Indonesia.

Before that the army ofCoach Kim Sang-sikhad a smooth start when they won convincingly against host Laos in the opening match. In the second match, because the group only had 5 participating teams, according to the schedule, the Vietnamese team had a break.

On the other side of the front line, the Indonesian team, after 1 win and 1 draw against Myanmar and Laos respectively, temporarily has 4 points and is at the top of Group B.

Therefore, according to the correlation in this group, the confrontation between Vietnam and Indonesia is considered a direct competition for first and second place.

With that importance, coach Kim Sang-sik has launched the strongest lineup that the Vietnam team currently has. Specifically, goalkeeper Nguyen Filip was chosen to start to replace Dinh Trieu.

The 3 central defenders include: Xuan Manh, Thanh Chung and Bui Tien Dung; 2 wingers were changed, Tien Anh was replaced by Ho Tan Tai, Khuat Van Khang was replaced by Van Vi.

In midfield, coach Kim Sang-sik made a few small adjustments when Quang Hai started with Doan Ngoc Tan and Hai Long.

The highest playing duo on the attacking line of the Vietnam National Team is Hoang Duc and Tien Linh.

With the advantage of playing at home, the Vietnamese team entered the match proactively. Coach Kim Sang-sik's team pushed up their formation and put great pressure on Cahya Supriadi's goal.

On the other side of the front line, to limit the strength of the red-shirted army, Indonesia deployed a tight defense, with most of its personnel always on duty at home. Therefore, it was not until the 40th minute that Vietnam had a chance in front of the away team's goal.

From the right wing, Ho Tan Tai crossed the ball into the penalty area and Tien Linh jumped to make a hook shot but the contact was not stable so he could not threaten the away team's goal.

In the second half, the Vietnamese team continued to maintain the same position as in the first half. Coach Kim Sang-sik's team completely controlled the game and deployed a high-pressing style of play. Vietnam's ball circulation speed improved compared to the first 45 minutes of the match. This style of play helped coach Kim Sang-sik's players create many problems for Cahya Supriadi's goal.

In the 53rd minute, Hoang Duc had the ball in the penalty area. After a few moves, he fired a shot with his left foot, but the ball went over the crossbar.

Because the main task was not to concede a goal, Indonesia did not create many opportunities in front of Vietnam's goal. Only striker Dethan's solo performance in the 70th minute caused trouble for Nguyen Filip's goal.

After many situations of siege by the home team, in the 77th minute, Quang Hai broke the deadlock for the red team. The Vietnamese captain took a strong shot, the ball hit the crossbar, and bounced to Tien Linh's position. The Binh Duong striker tried to handle it before giving way to Quang Hai to launch the second shot. This time the ball went low and goalkeeper Supriadi was unable to block it.

After the goal, the Vietnamese team maintained the initiative and controlled the ball more than the opponent. However, the tempo of the match was no longer pushed up by coach Kim Sang-sik's students as before. Therefore, the score of 1-0 in favor of Vietnam remained the same until the end of the match.

Winning against Indonesia in the third round, Vietnam has taken the top spot in Group B from this opponent.