Van Duc scores, Vietnam defeats Cambodia to take top spot in Group A

Photo: Trung Kien

Entering this match, Coach Park Hang-seo made 5 changes to the starting lineup compared to the away match against Myanmar 4 days ago. Van Hau, Xuan Truong, Van Quyet, Cong Phuong, Anh Duc had to give way to Trong Hoang, Hong Duy, Duc Huy, Hung Dung and Tien Linh.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the front line, "Cambodian Messi" Chan Vathanaka did not appear in the starting lineup of the away team.

Photo: Trung Kien

With home field advantage and a better quality squad, it was not surprising that right after the referee blew the starting whistle, Vietnamese players flooded into the Cambodian field.

Faced with Vietnam's overwhelming advantage, the Cambodian players could only chase the ball and commit fouls on the home team. In the 15th minute, Vietnam almost took the lead when Van Duc volleyed beautifully with his left foot, but goalkeeper Vichet made an excellent save.

Failing to convert their chances into goals, the red-shirted players showed impatience in the ball disputes with the Cambodian players. Trong Hoang’s yellow card in the 31st minute is a typical example.

However, Vietnam's efforts were finally rewarded with Tien Linh's opening goal in the 39th minute. From Trong Hoang's cross, the striker wearing the number 22 shirt accurately headed the ball past goalkeeper Vichet.

Tien Linh celebrates his goal. Photo: Trung Kien

Photo: Trung Kien

Players cheered Van Toan when the team scored. Photo: Trung Kien

And just 2 minutes later, Quang Hai raised the score to 2 - 0 for the home team with a close-range shot from Hong Duy's cross. The first half ended with a 2 - 0 victory for Vietnam.

Fans celebrate the goal. Photo: Trung Kien

After the break, Vietnam was still dominating the game. What had to happen happened. In the 61st minute, Van Duc had a beautiful turn and shot right at the 16m50 line, raising the score to 3 - 0.

The more they played, the more the home team showed their superiority over their counterparts on the other side of the battle line. Even when Trong Hoang, Van Duc, Ngoc Hai were withdrawn to make way for Cong Phuong, Van Quyet and Tien Dung, Vietnam still created a game that overwhelmed their opponents.

Photo: Trung Kien

The joy of Vietnamese fans. Photo: Trung Kien

In the last 15 minutes of the match, Vietnamese players proactively slowed down the pace of the match to a moderate level to avoid unfortunate injury situations.

In the end, Coach Park Hang-seo and his team won with a score of 3-0. Thanks to this victory, along with Malaysia beating Myanmar with a score of 3-0 in the match taking place at the same time, Vietnam won the top spot in Group A to be present in the semi-finals./.

Line-up of the 2 teams:

Vietnam:Van Lam, Ngoc Hai, Dinh Trong, Duy Manh, Hong Duy, Trong Hoang, Duc Huy, Hung Dung, Quang Hai, Van Duc, Tien Linh.

Cambodia:Vichet, Chheng Meng, Visal Soeuy, Chhoeun Chhin, Pheng Hong, Chanpolin Orn, Thiva Brak, Suhana Sos, Kakada Sin, Reung Bunheing.