HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam beat Thailand 1-0 in the opening match of the U19 KBZ Bank Cup 2016 yesterday at Mandalar Thiri Stadium in Mandalay, Myanmar.

Striker Trần Thành scored the only goal from a header in the 12th minute in a match played in sweltering, energy sapping heat.

Thailand came to Myanmar with a strong line-up including some players who beat Việt Nam 6-0 in the final of the Southeast Asian Championship last year.

Coach Hoàng Anh Tuấn of Việt Nam did not have his best team as some players were busy competing in local tournaments.

Thailand had a chance to equalise near the end of the first half with a free kick but Suksan Mungpao failed to beat goalkeeper Đỗ Sĩ Huy.

The regional champions dominated the second half and created a lot of opportunities but failed to make the breakthrough.

Even when goalie Huy, defender Mạc Đức Việt Anh and striker Phạm Trọng Hóa were injured and sidelined Thailand could not score.

In the dying minutes, forward Supachia Jaided beat substitute keeper Bùi Tiến Dũng but he was ruled off-side.

It was the third time coach Tuấn and his team played Thailand. They lost the previous matches.

In the next fixture, Việt Nam will play host Myanmar on August 24 and Thailand face Japanese side Consodale Sapporo Club.

The friendly tournament features four teams competing in a round robin format from August 22-28.

The two best teams will advance to the final while the others will play in the third-place playoff.

After the Myanmar event, Việt Nam will fly to Guangzhou for two friendly matches against local clubs on September 3 and 5.

They then return Hà Nội for the Southeast Asian Championship on home turf from September 11-24.

Việt Nam are in Group A with Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and East Timor.

Later they will take part in the Asian Championship on October 13-30 in Bahrain.

Here they are in the Group B with North Korea, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates. — VNS