FULL POINTS FOR VIETNAM

The team, who had to endure a 14-hour journey from Hanoi, made sure of the full points with a second-half strike from striker Le Cong Vinh in the 76th minute.

Off a quick counter-attack, midfielder Vu Phong unleashed a perfect cross for Cong Vinh to slot the ball home.

The win was Vietnam’s second straight victory following their 2-0 home win over Lebanon last month and where they will be playing against Oman away next on March 28.

Thailand picked up their first three points in Group F of the Beijing 2008 qualifiers when they beat India 1-0 in Chennai.

An early strike from Teerathep Winothai in the eighth minute was enough to see India off as Thailand made up for their first defeat in the group against DPR Korea.

On the other hand, the Malaysian Olympic team conceded their second loss in Group B of the Beijing 2008 qualifiers when they went down 1-2 to Japan at the Stadium MBPJ.

Sota Hirayama stabbed home a loose ball in the 14th minute before Tadanari Lee added the second goal for the visitors in the 78th minute.

Malaysia pulled a goal back through Mohd Khyril Muhymeen Zambri seven minutes to the end but by then, it was already too late.

The loss for Malaysia was their second in Group B following their 1-3 defeat to Syria last month.