Vietnam defeat Indonesia 3-2 in friendly football match

Striker Nguyen Van Toan scored a decisive goal which helped Vietnam edge past Indonesia 3-2 in a friendly match at Hanoi’s My Dinh stadium on November 8.

Vietnam defeat Indonesia 3-2 in friendly football match
Vietnam defeat Indonesia 3-2 in friendly football match

The match was considered a warm-up for Vietnam before competing in the ASEAN Football Championship - the AFF Cup.

The two sides started the game off slowly, it was not until the 10th minute that Vietnamese striker Nguyen Trong Hoang broke the deadlock with a cannon shot that went high. Later, Nguyen Van Quyet missed an easy chance in the 21st minute when he headed Dinh Thanh Trung’s lob-pass just over the bar. Later still, striker Van Toan failed to beat Indonesian keeper Kunia Meiga in a face-to-face encounter.

Indonesia, coached by former Vietnamese coach Austrian Alfred Riedl, regrouped to launch counter-attacks that bore fruit in the 32nd minute.

Evan Dimas Darmono fired a shot at goal which was blocked by Vietnamese custodian Nguyen Manh, however, Indonesian captain Boas Theofilus Erwin made sure not to make any mistake with the rebound.

Vietnamese forward Nguyen Van Quyet could have levelled the score in the 35th minute, but found the post.

A minute from the break, top Vietnamese striker Le Cong Vinh marked his first goal in the friendly, positioning himself to head home a free kick from Thanh Trung.

Vietnamese coach Nguyen Huu Thang substituted defender Que Ngoc Hai and goalkeeper Tuan Linh in the second half.

The hosts were shocked once again when Indonesia regained the lead in the 51st minute from the penalty spot.

Defender Truong Dinh Luat gave away a free-kick from a handball when he tried to clear the ball in the penalty area; Indonesia’s Ifran Bachdin found the back of the net without a fuss.

A perfect 55th minute save by Vietnamese keeper Tuan Linh thwarted a long range shot from Indonesian Captain Boas.

When a spate of attacks by Vietnamese players failed, coach Nguyen Huu Thang sent in more strikers.

Substitute Nguyen Cong Phuong scored the equalizer in the 71st minute, knocking in a skilful cross from Pham Thanh Luong from close range.

In the 83rd minute, striker Van Toan followed a 40m lob from teammate Que Ngoc Hai and managed an accurate, skillful outside shot past Indonesian keeper Meiga to earn Vietnam the win.