HANOI (20 Dec 2015) – The Vietnam Under-23 team got just the right tonic they will need ahead of their AFC U23 Championship next year when they held J-League side Cerezo Osaka to a 2-2 draw.
After some insipid performances in their last several friendlies, the draw will bode well for the squad who is looking to make an impact at the regional meet.
The visiting Cerezo Osaka side opened account through Kakeru Funaki in the 22nd minute before Vietnam replied through Pham Manh Hung just three minutes later.
Cerezo then nailed their second of the afternoon with a close range effort from Masaki Sakamoto right at the hour mark as Nguyen Van Toan then grabbed the all important equaliser right at the end.
“Osaka played a fast and simple football but they still have their goals,” said Vietnam coach Toshiya Miura afterwards.
