HÀ NỘI — Striker Nguyễn Văn Toàn scored the decisive goal as Việt Nam edged Indonesia 3-2 in a friendly match at Hà Nội’s Mỹ Đình Stadium yesterday.

The win was a good warm-up for Việt Nam before competing in the ASEAN Football Championship, or AFF Cup.

The two sides started the game slowly, and Vietnamese striker Nguyễn Trọng Hoàng broke a 10-minute deadlock with a cannon shot that went high. Then Nguyễn Văn Quyết missed a clear chance in the 21st minute when he headed Đinh Thanh Trung’s lob just over the bar. Later still, striker Văn Toàn was unable to beat Indonesian keeper Kunia Meiga in a face-to-face setting.  

Indonesia, coached by former Vietnamese coach Austrian Alfred Riedl, regrouped to launch counter-attacks that bore fruit in the 32nd minute.

A Evan Dimas Darmono shot at the goal was parried by Vietnamese custodian Nguyễn Mạnh, but Indonesian captain Boas Theofilus Erwin did not make any mistake with the rebound.

Vietnamese forward Nguyễn Văn Quyết could have tied the score in the 35th minute, but he found the post.

A minute from the break, Vietnamese top striker Lê Công Vinh marked his first goal in the friendly, positioning himself to head home a Thanh Trung freekick.

Cause for cheer: Vietnamese fans filled Hà Nội’s Mỹ Đình National Stadium for yesterday’s friendly against Indonesia.

Vietnamese coach Nguyễn Hữu Thắng substituted defender Quế Ngọc Hải and goalkeeper Tuấn Linh in the second half time.

The hosts were shocked again as Indonesia regained the lead in the 51st minute from the penalty spot.

Defender Trương Đình Luật had a hand-ball as he tried to clear the ball in the penalty area, and Indonesia’s Ifran Bachdin found the back of the net without a fuss.

A perfect 55th minute save by Vietnamese keeper Tuấn Linh thwarted a long range shot from Indonesian captain Boas.

When a spate of attacks by Vietnamese players failed, coach Thắng sent in more strikers.

Substitute Nguyễn Công Phượng scored the equalizer in the 71st minute, tipping a skilful cross from Phạm Thành Lương from a close range.

In the 83rd minute, striker Văn Toàn followed a 40m lob from teammate Quế Ngọc Hải and essayed an accurate, skillful outside shot past Indonesian keeper Meiga to earn Việt Nam a narrow win. — VNS