AFC Futsal Championships

Vietnam thrash Tajikistan 10-4

Nhan Dan Online – The Vietnam futsal team rekindled their hopes of reaching the knockout stage by thrashing Tajikistan 10-4 in their second Group A match on May 2 at the ongoing Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Futsal Championships in Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam (white) earn an important win over Tajikistan to raise their hope for a ticket to the next round. (Credit: bongdaplus)
Vietnam (white) earn an important win over Tajikistan to raise their hope for a ticket to the next round. (Credit: bongdaplus)

On April 30, Vietnam lost 2-1 to Iraq in their opening game.

In contrast to the opening match, Vietnam treated home fans at the Phu Tho Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City to a party of goals.

Van Vu opened the scores for Vietnam in the 10th minute after a quick attack. Just one minute later, Makhmudov equalised for Tajikistan.

After a quick equaliser, Vietnamese players strengthened their attacks on the guests. As a result, the team scored four consecutive goals by Trong Luan, Ngoc Son, Duc Nam and Duc Hoa from the 12th minute to the 16th minute.

Tajikistan’s Madedbabaev netted another goal to close the gap to 2-5 in the 17th minute, but Bao Quan, Trong Luan, Ngoc Son and Khanh Hung answered back with a storm of goals in the 26th, 27th, 28th, 33rd and 37th minutes.

Tajikistan’s counterattacks earned them another two goals in 28th and 30th minutes, scored by Jumaev and Mahmudov, but they had to accept defeat by the humiliating score of 10-4.

In the other Group A match, Kuwait beat Iraq 5-3 to open the door to the knock-out stage.

Currently, Kuwait lead Group A after two matches played with six points from two wins, followed by Iraq and Vietnam with three points.

Vietnam must defeat Kuwait in their next match tomorrow for a ticket to the quarterfinals.

Sixteen countries, divided into four groups, are participating in the tournament.

The annual championships were first held in 1999. Iran has won 10 out of the 12 editions played so far, finishing third in the other two.