Đào Minh Quảng (No 8) scores the opening goal of the 1-1 draw against Myanmar. Photos of VFF

HÀ NỘI -- Việt Nam was unexpectedly held to a 1-1 draw by the underdog team, Myanmar, in their opening match of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup on April 17 in Bangkok, Thailand.
This result disrupted coach Diego Raul Giustozzi's strategy to secure a spot in the top four of the tournament. For Myanmar, this match marked their historic first-ever point in this continental competition.

The captivating match took place at the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium, where Myanmar, making only their second appearance after losing all their matches in their 2018 debut, managed to secure a surprising draw against the 2016 semi-finalists.

Việt Nam started the game strongly, and Từ Minh Quang created the first significant opportunity, firing a powerful shot from outside the area in the second minute, which forced Mai Soe Myat Htwe into a spectacular save.

Although Giustozzi’s team continued to dominate the ball, Myanmar responded with Myo Thet Aung drilling an effort inches wide at the other end three minutes later.

Nguyễn Thịnh Phát then drew the Myanmar custodian into another impressive save with five minutes of the half remaining as his left-footed effort took a wicked deflection, but Mai Soe Myat Htwe did well to adjust and finger-tip wide.

With two minutes remaining before the break, Châu Đoàn Phát couldn’t have been closer to the breakthrough when he saw his header crash against the crossbar from Hồ Văn Ý’s cross before Thịnh Phát saw his follow-up saved.

The second half started much like the first, with Việt Nam dominating. Just over three minutes in, they finally broke the deadlock when Nhan Gia Hưng passed to Đào Minh Quảng, who was positioned on the edge of the area. The forward skillfully spun around his defender and fired a strike into the far corner of the net.

However, against the run of play, Myanmar struck back. In the 29th minute, Wai Zin Oo made an impressive run down the right flank and delivered a low cross that Ko Ko Lwin poked home at the near post for the equaliser.

Việt Nam again hit the woodwork with just over five minutes of the tie remaining when Từ Quang’s shot from range was deflected onto the post.

It continued to be one-way traffic, but Việt Nam struggled to find a way through Myanmar’s hard-working defence and when they did, they found Mai Soe Myat Htwe in inspired form.

The full-time whistle was greeted by scene of delight from the Myanmar players as they celebrated a significant milestone in their futsal history.

Việt Nam will meet China next on April 19 while Myanmar will be aiming to continue their momentum against hosts Thailand.

Vietnamese suporters come to cheer Việt Nam at the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium.

Speaking with reporters after the match Quảng said the draw was unexpected. The whole team would have to work harder in the next two matches to ensure its first task of getting through the knock-out stage.

Coach Giustozzi said Việt Nam had many opportunities while Myanmar had only one. And the score was 1-1. It was clearly that Vietnamese players were not focused and brave enough to have accurate finishes.

The Argentinean tactician believed that his players were under high pressure, leading to poor ability to score.

“I understand that the first match is always difficult and we shoulder heavy task of earning a World Cup spot," said Giustozzi.

"In this match, Myanmar play in low defence and were really determined. Definitely, other teams will choose this tactics and our job is to find a solution for this matter."

He added that his players should show their best and play with higher determination in the next matches. VNS