CHAMPS VIETNAM BEGIN TITLE DEFENCE IN STYLE

The score at the half was 2-1 in favour of the home team.

“Congratulations will have to be extended to the players as they showed good spirits and they always want to score more goals. This is the spirit of true professionals, never enough,” said Henrique Calisto, the chief coach of Vietnam afterwards.

“We did not play against a bad team as afterall Myanmar did beat the Chinese champions (Dalian Shide) just last week. Sure we score seven goals but it is still just one win and that is not enough for us to get into the next round.”

Buoyed by more than 36,000 faithfuls, Vietnam began strongly with their first goal of the game in the 14th minute when Nguyen Anh Duc slammed home the rebounder.

The early celebration and the release of flares were interrupted somewhat when Myanmar scored the equalising goal barely two minutes later off a wicked shot from Aung Kyaw Moe which ricocheted off the upright.

With Myanmar shoring up their defence, it was not until the 30th minute that Vietnam finally changed the score sheet when captain Nguyen Minh Phuong delivered a superb free kick to beat Kyaw Zin Htet for the second time on the night.

As Vietnam began the second half 2-1 to their advantage, a well-taken goal from Le Tan Tai in the 52nd minute set the ball rolling for an onslaught as Myanmar became increasingly unable to cope with the mounting pressure.

The champions went on to give their fans plenty to celebrate with goals off Anh Duc (66th minute) another double from Nguyen Trong Hoang (73rd and 83rd minute) and Ngyuyen Vu Phong (90th).

“Vietnam played really well today and they were more organised and had the better technique, so they win,” said Myanmar chief coach Tin Myint Aung afterwards.

“Several of the players lost concentration after scoring the equaliser and after the second goal, it just disrupted our play and the result was what happened tonight.”

VIETNAM
Duong Hon Son, Doan Viet Cuong, Le Phuoc Tu, Vu Nhu Thanh, Nguyen Minh Phuong (Nguyen Minh Chau 44th), Le Tan Tai (Nguyen Trong Huang 72nd), Huynh Quang Thanh, Nguyen Vu Phong, Pham Thanh Luong, Phan Van Tai Em, Nguyen Anh Duc.

MYANMAR
Win Min Htut, Zaw Lynn Tun, Khin Maung Lwin, Tun Tun Win (Mai Aih Naing 61st), Khin Maung Tun, Aung Kyaw Moe, Yan Paing, Yaza Win Thein, Myo Min Tun, Kyaw Zin Htet, Aung Myo Thant (Kyaw Khing Win 61st).