>>> National and U22 teams to play friendly on December 23 and 27
>>> Park Hang-seo announces 24 players for U22 squad’s last gathering of 2020
With the purpose of testing players, head coach Park Hang-seo arranged new faces in the national team’s starting line-up, including veterans Bui Tan Truong (goalkeeper) and Nguyen Van Quyet (striker).
Meanwhile, the U22 side, with youth power and the desire to show their ability, started the match confidently and performed better than their seniors in the opening minutes.
They suddenly went ahead in the 21st minute with Tran Van Dat finding the back of the net after a delightful through ball by Huu Thang.
However, the U22 team’s joy was short-lived as, just five minutes later, Van Quyet levelled the score with a close-range shot in a left-wing counterattack, following a volley from Duc Chinh which was stopped by goalie Van Toan.
With substitutions made on both sides, the second half took place more vibrantly with three goals scored. In the 52nd minute, Van Viet committed a foul in the box handing Vietnam U22s a penalty. From the spot, Huu Thang beat goalkeeper Tan Truong to restore their advantage.
The national team needed another five minutes to equalise for the second time, with Xuan Truong earning and successfully converting a penalty.
In the 78th minute, Xuan Manh chipped a clever through ball for Duc Chinh to slot in from close range to seal a 3-2 victory for the national squad.
Concluding the match, head coach Park Hang-seo praised the U22 players’ performance, hoping to see their greater progress during the upcoming December 27 rematch with their seniors at Viet Tri Stadium (Phu Tho Province).
