Group A: Vietnam through to semis after 3-1 win over Azkals
VIETNAM 3
(Ngo Hoang Thinh 7, Vu Minh Tuan 50, Pham Thanh Luong 58)
THE PHILIPPINES 1
(Paul Mulders 60)
Vietnam marched into the semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup with a convincing 3-1 victory over the Philippines at the My Dinh stadium in Hanoi on Friday (Nov 28).
The hosts displayed their attacking intent right from the start when Le Cong Vinh broke free into the box only to be brought down and booked for simulation.
But it did not take long for them to take the lead.
In the seventh minute, Ngo Hoang Thinh unleashed an ambitious strike from 30 metres which skidded past the Philippines goalkeeper.
Toshiya Miura's men looked the more promising side in the first half with their quick and crisp passing.
The same story continued in the second half as the Vietnamese continued to dominate Thomas Dooley's side.
First touch
Five minutes after the restart, a cross from Ngo Hoang Thinh was met with a great first touch from Vu Minh Tuan which took him past the last defender and then buried the shot into the bottom left corner.
Minutes later, Pham Thanh Luong scored a belter from outside the box to give his side a 3-0 lead.
The Philippines pulled one back after Paul Mulders scored from a splendid Jerry Lucena cross.
Apart from the goal, the Azkals, who have already booked their spot in the semi-finals before the game, did little to impose themselves on the game.
With the win, Vietnam top Group A with seven points and will face the runners-up from Group B in the semi-finals.
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