VIETNAM STUN 10-MAN CHINA IN OPENING AFF U-16 TIE

China had the better share of the game and also had far more chances at goal compared to their Southeast Asian opponents. Vietnam on the other hand had to wait for the breaks to charge forward and take their chances. And it was during one of these breaks that Anh Tuan delivered the winner six minutes from time.

China had the respect of the other teams even before they played their first match. But who could blame the other teams as China have always churned out decent sides in the past. And just two minutes into the game, China looked set to live up to their billing as Liang Yu almost blasted his side ahead.

A few minuets later, Cui Wei’s header slipped past the post to the relief of the Vietnamese. In the 10th minute, Vietnam’s Huynh Tan Tai’s freekick had the lanky Chinese keeper Wang Boyan scrambling to clear the crisp strike.

The quality of the game declined from then on. Although China had the bigger share of possession, their strikers were unable to crack the Vietnam defence. Chinese skipper Hu Weiwei was a constant bother but he got booked for deliberately stretching his arm out to bring the ball down.

In the dying minutes, Weiwei dropped to his knees and it was clear he was in trouble. He was helped off the pitch clutching his arm but just before he could be replaced, the referee blew for the break.

Sun Zhengao took over the skipper’s band as China took the fight to their opponents with Cui Wei and second half substitute Zheng Dalun leading the attack. Against the run of play, Vietnam had a brilliant chance but Do Manh Giang’s low drive was saved by Wang Boyan.

As the game progressed, the Chinese players, who took 25 hours and five transfers to get to Solo, began to wear down and as many as four players – Cui Wei, Shen Tianfeng, Liang Yu and Hu Bowen – crash to the ground with cramps.

In the 74th minute, Yiming picked up his second booking when he brought down Huynh Tan Tai just outside the box.

Teams

China: Liu Yiming, Hu Bowen (Liao), Hu Weiwei (cpt) – (Zheng Dalun), Cui Wei, Liang Yu, Yang Shiyuan (Wu Hao), Luo Tian, Shen Tianfeng, Sun Zhengbao, Wang Boyan, Zuo Qiming.
Subs: Xu Jiamin (GK), Zheng Dalun, Wu Hao, Zheng Fengwei, Chen Shuo, Sun Ningzhe, Liao Jun Jian.
Coach: Zhang Ning
Scorers: none
Yellow: Hu Weiwei (22nd), Liu Yiming (52nd, 74th)
Red: Liu Yiming (74th)

Vietnam: Nguyen Son Hai (GK), Nguyen Ha Long, Dao Duy Khanh, Dang Anh Tuan (cpt), Do Manh Giang, Huynh Tan Tai, Vo Ngoc Duc, Nguyen Do (Viet Thang), Vo Ngoc Toan, Nguyen Van Nui (Anh Phong), Nguyen Xuan Nam (Van Hiep)
Subs: Le Van Nghia (GK), Hoang Son Tung, Nguyen Cong Danh, Nguyen Van Dung, Nguyen Minh Hai, Nguyen Viet Thang, Nguyen Van Hiep, Ho Ngoc Thang, Nguyen Anh Phong
Coach: Hoang Van Phuc
Scorers: Dang Anh Tuan (84th)
Yellow: Vo Ngoc Toan (82nd)
Red: none

REMAINING FIXTURES (All matches at Manahan Stadium, Solo)

Wednesday
3.30pm: Timor Leste vs China
6.00pm: Vietnam vs Indonesia

Friday
3.30pm: Vietnam vs Timor Leste
6.00pm: Indonesia vs China

Sunday
3.00pm: 3rd-4th Playoff
6.00pm: Final