VN defeat Hong Kong 2-1 in friendly match

HA NOI — Viet Nam came from behind to beat Hong Kong 2-1 in an international friendly match at Mongkok Studium yesterday in Hong Kong.

The hosts took the lead at the 41st minute of the match but striker Nguyen Van Quyet and midfielder Nguyen Trong Hoang both scored to bring the Vietnamese team their first victory under local coach Phan Thanh Hung.

After a 3-0 loss to China two days ago, Hung made several changes in his line-up when fielding young goalkeeper Thanh Binh, midfielders Phuoc Vinh and Viet Cuong and forward Viet Thang.

The changes helped the team dominate the game against a rival who were 60 steps lower than Viet Nam in the world rankings.

That still didn't stop the hosts opening the score as Au Yeung Yi Chung hit the net following a counter-attack that had Viet Nam focusing too much on their attack.

Things changed in the second half when Vietnamese players were asked to open more attacks and continue to dominate the match.

Their effort were converted into goals at the 71st and 74th minutes.

Viet Nam created a number of additional opportunities to raise the score but their strikers failed to conquer the net.

The team will return to Viet Nam today. Players will have several days to relax before the national V-League tournament resumes on July 10.

The friendly match was part of preparations for the Southeast Asian Football Federation Cup later this year in Thailand and Malaysia. — VNS