Striker Nguyễn Tiến Linh (right) celebrates his goal with Nguyễn Trọng Hoàng in the match between Việt Nam and Laos at their second football match of Group B of the 2019 SEA Games on Thursday. Việt Nam beat Laos 6-1. VNA/VNS Photo Hoàng Linh

SEA Games

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam U22s thrashed Laos 6-1 in the Philippines in their second match of Group B of the 2019 SEA Games yesterday.

The game was played at Binan Football Stadium in Laguna.

Việt Nam dominated the match against the minnows from the opening whistle, and only three minutes in striker Nguyễn Tiến Linh pounced on a Laos mistake to open the scoring. 

In the 17th minute, Linh of Becamex Bình Dương Club doubled the advantage after being played through by Hồ Tấn Tài.

Two minutes later, defender Đoàn Văn Hậu, who is on loan at SC Heerenveen of the Netherlands, put the ball in the net with a lob but he was ruled offside.

Laos struggled to launch attacks on a strong Vietnamese side and only threatened goalkeeper Nguyễn Văn Toản once, but he was equal to the task.

After the break, Việt Nam peppered the Laos goal with shots from Nguyễn Đức Chiến, Triệu Việt Hưng and Hậu’s shots.

The Vietnamese side’s efforts paid off with a third goal in the 54th minute, scored by overage midfielder Đỗ Hùng Dũng after a delightful one-two with his Ha Noi FC teammate Nguyễn Quang Hải.

Three minutes later, Linh completed his hat-trick to raise the score to 4-0 for Việt Nam.

Laos fought till the end and were rewarded with a goal in the 60th minute, courtesy of a header from Kaharn Phetsivilay after a free-kick was whipped in.

Soukaphone Vongchiengkham then missed a chance for a second goal from a free-kick which Toản saved.

With the result safe, the Vietnamese took their foot off the gas to preserve their strength for the next match.

However, midfielder Nguyễn Trọng Hoàng and Hai managed to tack another goal on each in the closing stages to make the score 6-1.

“I am very happy as it is the second win of Việt Nam in this event,” said head coach Park Hang-seo of Việt Nam after the match.

“Both striker Hà Đức Chinh and Nguyễn Tiến Linh played very well. I completely believe in their ability. The two forwards scored many goals and I believe that they can score more goals in the next matches,” the South Korean coach added.

In the first match on Monday, Việt Nam defeated Brunei 6-0.

Việt Nam will next play Indonesia on December 1 at 7pm (Hà Nội time). VNS