Việt Nam vs Australia in the first leg of the Asian qualification play-off of the Tokyo Olympics on Friday. Việt Nam lost to Australia 0-5. — Photo vff.org.vn

Football

HÀ NỘI — Despite putting in a great effort, the Việt Nam national women’s team lost to Australia 5-0 in the first leg of the Asian qualification play-off for the Tokyo Olympics 2020 held at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on Friday.

Earlier, Vietnamese coach Mai Đức Chung acknowledged that Australia were far ahead of his side in terms of physical strength, fitness and quality, so Việt Nam aimed to avoid getting yellow cards, stay healthy and keep the score down.

As it turned out, Australia dominated the game completely.

Just 10 minutes in, Ellie Carpenter got the better of Ngân Thị Vạn Sự on the right flank before sending a cross towards Sam Kerr, who headed home to open the score.

Việt Nam nearly grabbed an equaliser when Nguyễn Thị Bích Thùy supplied Phạm Thị Tươi eight minutes later.

Before the first half closed, the home side added two more goals in the 27th and 38th minutes thanks to Chloe Logarzo and Emily van Egmond.

After the break, Việt Nam tried their best to narrow the gap.

Goalkeeper Trần Thị Kim Thanh was slightly injured in the first half but carried on gamely.

The hosts continued their dominance and scored two more goals in 67th and 80th minutes thanks to Clare Polkinghorne and Sam Kerr.

In the dying minutes, the Vietnamese team had opportunities to attack, but with the side clearly exhausted they couldn't cause any real danger.

Việt Nam are ranked 32nd in the world and Australia stand seventh. Australia have played in three Olympics and made the last-eight twice, while Việt Nam have never competed in any Olympics.

Việt Nam will have several days to rest before meeting Australia in the second leg at Cẩm Phả Stadium in the northern province of Quảng Ninh on March 11. — VNS