HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam were held to a goalless draw with Thailand yesterday in the last qualifying match at the ASEAN Football Federation U22 Championship in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

But the 0-0 scoreline was enough to see both teams qualify for the semi-finals.

The two teams finished Group A with seven points each, although Việt Nam came out on top because of their superior goal difference.

Thailand will next take on the hosts Cambodia who topped Group B with six points in the semi-finals on February 24.

Việt Nam’s opponent will be Myanmar, Indonesia or Malaysia.

Despite Việt Nam and Thailand both failing to find the net, this was an attacking game from the off.

Nguyễn Hùng Thiện Đức tested keeper Korraphat Nareechan from long range on 21 minutes but the Thai number one stood tall.

Lê Xuân Tú beat the offside trap on 32 minutes finding Trần Đức Nam with a good pass but his effort was wasteful.

In the final minutes of the first half, the Thai team put pressure on Việt Nam but failed to break through their defence and create any real goal scoring opportunities.

After the break, Việt Nam continued to control the game but did have a scare on 55 minutes when Jedsadakorn  Kowngam found himself one on one with the Vietnamese keeper but his shot rattled the crossbar.

After that, Việt Nam repaid with a counter attack. Xuân Tú made goalie Nareechan commit an error and was forced to get a yellow card.

Tống Anh Tỷ had the chance to break the deadlock from a free-kick but failed to find the target.

Playing under a hot sun, both teams tired towards the end and struggled to keep up the pace. — VNS