Football

Captain Nguyễn Công Phương of Việt Nam (right) runs a ball away from a Bangladesh player during the AFC U20 Cup Qualifier on September 27 in Hải Phòng. Việt Nam win 4-1. Photo of VFF

HẢI PHÒNG — Việt Nam grabbed the third win at the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group A, beating Bangladesh 4-1 in Hải Phòng on September 27.

Bangladesh came into the match needing a victory to salvage their hopes of qualifying, but they fell behind as early as the third minute when Hoàng Minh Tiến’s grounded effort, off Nguyễn Công Phương’s cross, was deflected into the back of the net.

The South Asians fell further behind at the half-hour mark after confusion between Asadul Islam Sakib and keeper Ismail Mahin gave Tiến an opportunity to pounce and slot the ball home.

Bangladesh, however, reduced the deficit in the 41st minute after Sakib’s cross took a deflection into the path of Piash Nova, who scored with a glancing header.

The home side responded a minute later through Lê Văn Quang Duyệt’s long-range effort to restore their two-goal advantage heading into the break.

The onus was on Bangladesh to mount a fightback but Việt Nam struck again in the 81st minute through Phương’s free-kick to seal the emphatic win.

In another match of the group, Syria made it three wins out of three after cruising to a 10-1 victory over Guam at the Lạch Tray Stadium.

Syria jumped to the top of the rankings with a better goal difference compared to Việt Nam.

The two sides will meet each other on September 29 in the group's final. The winner will take an automatic slot to the Finals next year in China. VNS