Football

Vietnamese players celebrate a goal during their 6-0 win over Timor Leste in Group B of the AFF Women's Cup on July 11. — Photo of VFF

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam beat Timor Leste 6-0 to be the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of the AFF Women's Cup on July 11 in Laguna, the Philippines.

Heavy rain delayed the match for 30 minutes, but it could not prevent Vietnamese players from tearing the Filipino goal to pieces.

Ten minutes into the game, striker Huỳnh Như took advantage of goalie Gorette da Costa's mistake to open the scoring with a close-range tap into an empty net. She then made the second goal in the 42nd minute.

Young striker Ngân Thị Vạn Sự scored a brace with a first strike in the 30th minute and before Phạm Hải Yến was successful with a penalty five minutes later. 

Facing a weak Timor Leste side, coach Mai Đức Chung sent his young players out to sharpen their skills in the second half.

The youngsters did not disappoint, helping their strikers grab two more goals.

Sự completed her double with a straight shot in the 75th minute, and veteran Nguyễn Thùy Trang finalised the score six minutes from the end.

Việt Nam temporarily top Group B with three wins. Myanmar are second after beating Laos 3-1 in an earlier match at the Binan Stadium.

Việt Nam will play arch-rivals Myanmar next. Both have qualified for the knock-out stage on Wednesday. The match will decide the winner of the group.

On Sunday, Singapore lost 4-1 to Australia in Group A. Meanwhile, Thailand trounced Malaysia 4-0 and the Philippines best Indonesia 4-1.

With a maximum of 12 points after four matches, the hosts take the No 1 place, leaving Thailand behind with ten points and Australia third on seven points.

In the group's last activities on July 12, the Philippines need only one point in the match against Thailand to qualify for the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Thailand must beat the hosts to make sure of their slot.

Meanwhile, Australia must beat Malaysia by a high score, scoring at least five goals and conceding none, while hoping Thailand lose to the Philippines to advance to the next round.

Indonesia will play Singapore in another match, with both already ousted from the tournament. — VNS