Football

Việt Nam Selection Team players celebrate their Bia Saigon Cup 2022 victory on December 25 in Hà Nội. Photo of Vietfootball

HÀ NỘI — The Việt Nam Selection Team won the first international seven-a-side tournament, the Bia Saigon Cup 2022, on December 25 in Hà Nội.

The hosts defeated Ghost Gate FC of Thailand 3-2 in the final match at Hoàng Mai District Stadium.

Both teams secured six points and had the same goal difference prior to the final. But coach Phan Trần Tuấn Anh and his Việt Nam team needed only a draw result to lift the trophy because they had more points in the fair-play category.

Captain Phạm Trương Hoàng Nam opened the scoring in the 26th minute. He scored again early in the second half before teammate Nguyễn Anh Sơn scored a third goal for Việt Nam.

Ghost Gate did not give up. They netted twice in additional time and launched threatening attacks before the final whistle.

In the third-place playoff, Deltras of Indonesia beat Jcorp Data Sukan of Malaysia 4-1 to take the bronze.

The winner will walk away with the gold medal and US$5,000. The runners-up will receive $3,000 and $2,000, respectively.

Suwongsa Kraiwit of Ghost Gate was the MVP of the tournament. Nguyễn Đăng Thao of Việt Nam was the best goalkeeper while his captain Nam was the best scorer. VNS