Football

Vietnamese players celebrate their goal against Singapore in the AFF U16 Youth Championship on July 31 in Jorjakarta, Indonesia. Photo of VFF

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam beat Singapore 5-1 in their opening match of the AFF U16 Youth Championship on July 31 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

It took the young Golden Star warriors eight minutes to open the score when Nguyễn Hữu Trọng received a ball from a poor clearance in the box and fired home.

The goal upped the Vietnamese confidence and they quickly applied their attacking style.

Two more goals came, in the 23rd minute through Phan Thanh Đức Thiện who made a well-worked finish, and when Nguyễn Xuân Toàn unleashed a floater to the far post in the third additional minute of the first half.

Earlier, Muhammad Rasul Ramli narrowed the score for Singapore in the 45th minute with a well-taken freekick.

Ten minutes after the break, substitute Huỳnh Văn Danh gave Việt Nam another goal when he headed home from a corner with his first touch of the game.

Việt Nam had to play with 10 men from the 86th minute when Trọng took a second yellow card.

However, this did not prevent Việt Nam from scoring.

They tore Singapore keeper Kaiden Ng's net in additional time with a strike by forward Hoàng Công Hậu who weaved past three defenders before slamming home.

In the meantime at the Maguwoharjo Sleman Stadium, hosts Indonesia won 2-0 against the Philippines in Group A.

“We created a lot of chances but we just could not add to the score. But it has to be pointed out that the Philippines are not a bad side. They certainly gave us some tough moments,” said Indonesia head coach Bima Sakti.

Meanwhile coach Christopher Pedimonte of the Philippines said his plan was to match Indonesia in the first half but the players made an early mistake. He thought the loss was not so bad as they manage to limit the score at 2-0.

Next round, Việt Nam will play the Philippines on August 3 while Indonesia will face Singapore.

In today's action in Group B, Timor Leste will meet Laos while Thailand will entertain Brunei. VNS