Nguyễn Minh Trí celebrate his goal in Việt Nam's 2-0 win over Australia t the AFF Futsal Championship in HCM City yesterday. — Photo thethao247.vn

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam defeated Australia 2-0 in the opening match of the AFF Futsal Championship yesterday in HCM City.

Nguyễn Mạnh Dũng and Nguyễn Minh Trí scored in the second half of a match which was dominated by the hosts from the beginning.

The Vietnamese made many chances from the first whistle but couldn't convert. Among them, Châu Đoàn Phát’s header hit the bar while Trí’s close-range shot failed to beat goalkeeper Gavin O’Brien.

In the eighth minute of the second half, Dũng took the ball from a free-kick and opened the scoring with a long-distance shot.

The Australians pushed the tempo after but they could not breach the Vietnamese defence.

Trí doubled the score with a penalty in the 37^th minute.

It was the first time that Việt Nam beat Australia in an official tournament.

In the early match of Group B, Indonesia beat Malaysia 3-2 at Phú Thọ Gymnasium.

Indonesia will play Việt Nam in the next match, which assistant coach Kensuke Takahasi said would be a difficult game for the Indonesians as Việt Nam have a good coach and experienced players.

In Group A fixtures, Myanmar crushed East Timor 6-1 while Thailand trounced Cambodia 12-0.

The regional tournament is a qualifier for the Asian championship in 2020. It will wrap up on October 27 with the three top teams gaining berths in the continental event.

The Thais have won the regional tournament 13 times in 15 editions. Indonesia and Australia have one each.

Việt Nam’s best result is two second-placed finished in 2009 and 2012. — VNS