HO CHI MINH CITY (30 Oct 2012) – Hosts Vietnam did not get the outing they were looking for when they finished third in the VFF Cup which ended at the Thong Nhat Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City last week.
The VFF Cup saw the participation of four teams where other than hosts Vietnam, the others were Turkmenistan, Laos and Korea University Selection.
Vietnam – the ASEAN champions in 2008 – were hoping to use the tournament as part of their preparation for the AFF Suzuki Cup next month where they will be up against hosts Thailand, Philippines and Myanmar in Group A.
But the close 1-0 loss Vietnam suffered in their first game against Turkmenistan – the only goal of the game coming off Vladimir Bayramow in the 57th minute – was certainly not the start they were looking for.
Vietnam bounced back to beat Laos 4-0 in their second game to put them within the chance of winning the crown. Nguyen Quang Hai grabbed the double with penalties in the 17th and 37th minute. The remainder of the goals were scored by Nguyen Trong Hoang in the 77th minute and Huynh Quoc Anh three minutes later.
In the decisive game against Korea University Selection, Vietnam had to fight back from being a goal down after the visitors won the lead through Kim Bong Rae’s penalty in the 40th minute.
Nguyen Van Quyet scored the equalizer in the 57th minute for Vietnam to share the spoils.
FINAL VFF CUP 2012 STANDINGS
|
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts |
| Korea University Selection |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
9 |
2 |
+7 |
7 |
| Turkmenistan |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
6 |
−1 |
6 |
| Vietnam |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
2 |
+3 |
4 |
| Laos |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
12 |
−9 |
0 |
