PLEIKU — The U19 Việt Nam team won its latest round at the International U19 Football Tournament 2018 by beating U19 Hoàng Anh Gia Lai 3-1 on Wednesday at the Pleiku stadium in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai.

The result helped U19 Việt Nam, coached by Vũ Hồng Việt, grab nine points to match the U19 Seoul team.

Việt Nam scored the first goal at the 18th minute with a penalty near the dark zone by Hồng Sơn, whose strong kick landed the ball decisively in the opponent’s goal.

The first half was closed up after Hoàng Anh Gia Lai scored, setting up an exciting second half.

The second goal was claimed in the second half by Việt Anh of Việt Nam who hit the ball with his head into the rival’s goal at the 63rd minute.

Hoàng Anh Gia Lai then put forward their best struggle with continuous attacks against the Việt Nam, seeking to equalise the score, but the host team constantly faced fierce resistance from its rival.

At the 88th minute, Văn Công of the U19 Việt Nam caught the ball from his team mate Văn Toán to score the third goal, the last of the match.

The match had been previously been predicted as a challenge for Hoàng Anh Gia Lai coach Guillaume Graechen and his players, but few expected the team to play so weakly and make so many mistakes.

Accordingly, U19 Hoàng Anh Gia Lai will have to face U19 Chonburi in the final round for fourth place on Friday.

On Monday, Coach Vũ Hồng Việt of U19 Việt Nam said his team would seek to continue their winning streak after his players defeated FC Seoul 2-1 in the second round match.

The team will face Mito Hollyhock tomorrow.

Coach Việt praised his players after their earlier defeat of FC Seoul.

“I feel good when my players strictly follow my tactics and win the match. Prior to the tournament, we thought Seoul would be the team who could vie for the winning trophy with us. We will defeat them both in the two last matches to defend our title,” Việt said. — VNS