Vietnam team firmly holds top spot after dramatic draw with Thailand

Entering the match, the Vietnamese team unexpectedly took the lead with consecutive attacks on the opponent's goal. This approach to the match is not common in the Vietnamese team under coach Park Hang-seo and that somewhat surprised the Thai players.

From a corner kick, Tien Dung headed the ball into the Thai net but the goal was not counted. Photo: Xuan Thuy

The mobility of Trong Hoang, Van Hau and the Vietnamese national team's attack created opportunities for Van Toan and Tien Linh, but the Vietnamese national team's strikers could not take advantage.

In the first 20 minutes of the match, Vietnam completely took the initiative in attack but did not have many truly dangerous opportunities towards Kawin's goal.

Thailand gradually regained control of the game and began to respond to Vietnam's penalty area with the participation of Chanathip and Dangda.

Thailand team continues to hold Vietnam to a draw. Photo: Trung Kien

In the 27th minute, Van Hau fouled an opposing player in the penalty area. The referee quickly decided to award a penalty to Thailand. Facing Theerathon, Van Lam made an excellent save from the opponent's 11m shot to keep the match in balance.

Just 4 minutes later, Vietnam had an answer with Que Ngoc Hai putting the ball into Kawin's net from a corner kick. Unfortunately for Vietnam, the referee blew the whistle because Van Hau had collided with the opposing team's goalkeeper earlier and the goal was not recognized.

In the remaining minutes of the first half, both teams traded blows with each other, but entering the halftime break, the scoreboard still could not change.

Goalkeeper Van Lam had to show his talent to save the goal many times. Photo: Trung Kien

Entering the second half, Thailand, determined to win 3 points to keep their hopes of advancing alive, relentlessly attacked to find the opening goal. However, the Vietnamese defense, led by captain Que Ngoc Hai, did not allow the opponent's attack to have many opportunities to approach Van Lam.

In the 58th minute, Quang Hai made a beautiful pass but Tien Linh was caught offside. 3 minutes later, Hung Dung stood at the free kick spot but sent the ball too deep for Kawin to control the situation with a tight hold of the ball.

Coach Park Hang-seo sent Cong Phuong onto the field in the 72nd minute, but the appearance of the Nghe An striker did not leave much of an impression.

Center back Que Ngoc Hai and his teammates play football with all their might. Photo: Trung Kien

On the defensive front, Van Lam had an excellent day when he continuously made excellent saves in the 78th and 83rd minutes. Van Lam's performance in this match really deserves to be commended with reasonable entry and exit situations and excellent saves.

In the remaining minutes, both teams continued to put pressure on each other on the offensive front but no goals were scored and the match ended in a goalless draw. In the remaining match in Group G, Malaysia won 2-0 against Indonesia.

Thus, Vietnam is still leading the group with 11 points after 5 matches, Malaysia temporarily rose to 2nd place with 9 points but played 1 more match than UAE. Thailand fell to 3rd place after a draw with Vietnam, with 8 points and will face many difficulties when facing UAE and Malaysia.

STARTING LINEUP

Vietnam:Van Lam, Duy Manh, Ngoc Hai, Tien Dung, Hung Dung, Tuan Anh, Van Hau, Trong Hoang, Van Toan, Quang Hai, Tien Linh.

Thailand:Kawin, Yooyen, Tom Bhir, Keserat, Theerathon, Sasalak, Sarach, Ekanit, Chanathip, Dangda, Supachok.

Vinh city people are crazy about the Vietnamese team

(Baonghean.vn) - In Vinh city (Nghe An), fans gathered at public places to cheer on the Vietnamese team in the match against Thailand in the 2020 World Cup Qualifiers.