HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam was defeated by hosts Myanmar 2-1 in the last match of group B of the AFF U18 Championship yesterday at Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon, knocking the team out of the tournament.

The Vietnamese side finished third in the five-team group with nine points, tied with Indonesia and Myanmar, who both went through to the knock-out stages on goal difference and head to head record, respectively.

Before the match, Indonesia crushed Brunei 8-0, booking their place in the semi-finals and making the Viet Nam-Myanmar game a winner takes all encounter.

Earlier, Việt Nam thrashed Brunei 8-1, beat the Philippines 5-0 and defeated Indonesia 3-0.

Việt Nam started fast and furious, with midfielder Nguyễn Hồng Sơn opening the scoring in only the second minute.

The visitors controlled the match in the first half, stifling Myanmar’s players and denying them a clear sight at goal.

In the second half, coach Hoàng Anh Tuấn’s team had several opportunities to double their lead but were found wanting, setting the stage for a dramatic comeback.

Myanmar equalised in the 73rd minute, with Sone Naing’s free kick teeing up Kaung Khant, and with the wind in their sales the home side took the lead 12 minutes later, after a mistake by Vietnamese goalkeeper Y E Li Nie allowing Lwin Moe Aung to score.

“We lost focus in the second half,” said Vietnamese winger Lê Xuân Tú after the match. “We only have ourselves to blame for this. But we will be better next time.”

The hosts finished the game in control, giving them a 2-1 win and a ticket to the semi-finals. — VNS