Football

Võ Hoàng Minh Khoa of Việt Nam (left) holds the ball under pressure from Guam players during their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifier on September 6 at the Phú Thọ Province's Việt Trì Stadium. — Photos of VFF

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam had an easy 6-0 win over Guam in their first Group C match of the 2024 AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers on September 6 at the Phú Thọ Province's Việt Trì Stadium.

The hosts in the early stages of the first half and despite dominating possession, couldn't open the scoring. Lê Văn Đô, Nguyễn Văn Tùng and Nguyễn Đức Phú wasted good opportunities and other attempts were denied by goalkeeper John Guidroz.

It was until the 33rd minute, Nguyễn Thanh Nhàn broke down the right wing and sent a ball to Đô who tapped in to open the score for Việt Nam.

In the second half, Guam who fielded a number of semi-pros, were exhausted. They could not catch up with the pace of the Vietnamese side.

Nine minutes after the interval, Võ Minh Trọng was brought down in the box and Việt Nam were given a penalty. 

Tùng stepped up and made it 2-0.

Nine minutes later, Phan Tuấn Tài set up Hồ Văn Cường who made it three.

After his strong effort to assist teammates, Thanh Nhàn scored a goal for himself at the 79th minute.

Substitutes Hoàng Văn Toản's strike and Bùi Vĩ Hào's spot-kick added two more goals in the last seven minutes to seal a win for Việt Nam.

Nguyễn Thành Nhàn celebrates his goal in Việt Nam's 6-0 win over Guam.

"We have little time competing together so in the first half our play was not good," said Nhàn after the match. 

"But our coaches made several changes in tactics, leading to better situation in the second half. We managed the ball well and scored more goals."

In the earlier game, Yemen defeated Singapore 3-0, sending a warning to Việt Nam prior to their meet on September 9.

The West Asians dominated the match from the start but found it hard to break down their opponents who soaked up the pressure in the opening minutes.

Yemen finally found a way through in the 32nd minute when Mohammed Noman Al Wajih’s header bounced off the crossbar with Ahmed Maher sneaking in the rebound from close range.

In the 41st minute, Hamzah Mohammed Hanash showed sublime skill, controlling Maher’s cross before sending a volleyed effort over Singapore keeper Aizil Yazid.

Near the end of the half, Maher's shot from inside the box took a cruel deflection over Yazid before settling into the back of the net.

Singapore did their best in the second half but were unable to reduce the deficit.

Coach Misroslav Soukup of Yemen remained at the stadium after his match to watch Việt Nam's game. He said the host side were the strongest team in Group C but Yemen wanted a berth in the finals in Qatar.

He said if Yemen could get six to seven points from three matches, the target would be within their reach.

He added that the opener of a tournament was not easy. He researched Singapore well and found them a physical-strong team who were good at long balls and free-kicks. 

Soukup prepared his team asking players to run fast and open consecutive attacks, wingers and forwards must be quicker than Singaporean defenders.

He said all three goals were in the first half. Yemen did not score in the second but a win was a good start prior to next games. — VNS