HO CHI MINH CITY (5 Sept 2012) – In spite of the score line, Vietnam put up a much better performance in their 4-0 loss to Australia last night than how they fared against Iran in their first game two days earlier.
While they managed to narrowly lose to Iran by just a 2-1 score, still in as far as their performance was concerned, there is much to be desired. Against Iran, the hosts seemed to lack direction and where they seem to lose possession for much of the time.
They rarely troubled the Iranian defence and the goal they scored was really a gift from their opponent’s backline.
“The goals against Australia were unfortunate,” said Mai Duc Chung, the chief coach of Vietnam. “But I felt that we played better against Australia than we did against Iran.
“We had more direction and we certainly pressured them in the first 15 minutes. We came close to scoring through the chances we created. But our failure to score cost us the game.”
With the second loss, Vietnam’s hope of a place in the final is very slim indeed as they will have to beat Uzbekistan tomorrow by a hefty score line should they wish to book their place.
AFF UNDER-19 TOURNAMENT 2012
(All matches at the Thong Nhat Stadium)
2 Sept 2012: AUSTRALIA 1 UZBEKISTAN 2 / IR IRAN 2 VIETNAM 1
4 Sept 2012: UZBEKISTAN 1 IR IRAN 2 / VIETNAM 0 AUSTRALIA 4
6 Sept 2012: Australia vs IR Iran (1600) / Uzbekistan vs Vietnam (1830)
8 Sept 2012: 3rd Position vs 4th Position (1600) / Winner vs Runner-Up (1830)
