VIETNAM’S TITLE DEFENCE OFF TO A STUNNING START

Winners of the tournament last year, Vietnam showed that they were in great form with a smashing victory today that hoisted them to the top of the group on a better goal difference.

Malaysia, which defeated the Philippines 2-0 in an earlier match this evening, are second in the standings.

Vietnam needed only three minutes to get their show on the road. Doan Thi Kim Chi, in what was Vietnam’s first move into the box, made no mistakes when she blasted her team ahead.

It was double the score three minutes later as Van Thi Thanh added her name to the score sheet. Before the half was over, Bui Thi Tuyet Mai (10th), Do Thi Ngoc Cham (9th) and Le Thi Thuong (16th) added a goal each.

During the break, the rain, which had kept its distance earlier, turned up in force, but while it put the brakes on the speedy Vietnamese attackers, their determination remained as fiery.

And that led to three more goals in the second half.

Ngoc Cham completed her hat trick in the second half with two more strikes in the 51st and 84th minutes.

The other goals were netted by Le Thi Hong Nga (70th) and Le Thi Thuong (75th).

“We did not think about a big victory today, all we wanted to do was go out and play the best that we could. I know it was tough for the Philippines but we also played for the spectators,” said assistant coach, Ngo Le Bang.

Philippines assistant coach Alfredo said: “We prepared for this match from watching them play in previous matches. But now, they have a new team set-up and their game has changed, it used to be 4-4-2 but now they play 3-5-2. We tried to stop them down the flanks but were unable to.”

PIC: Philippines (in blue) against Vietnam (in red)