Vietnam cruise past Cambodia 4-0 to reach AFF Cup last four

Vietnam thumped Cambodia 4-0 on Sunday as forward Nguyen Tien Linh’s double sent them through to the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 semifinals in an emphatic style and set up a showdown with Thailand.

Vietnam's Nguyen Tien Linh in action during the match. (Photo: Vnexpress.net)
Vietnam's Nguyen Tien Linh in action during the match. (Photo: Vnexpress.net)

Park Hang-seo’s impressive side hit four goals for the first time and kept a fourth consecutive clean sheet in this year’s tournament.

The result was enough to hand the Golden Star Warriors a last-four berth but not enough to send them on the top of Group B, as Indonesia brilliantly stunned Malaysia 4-1 on the same day to advance as the group winners.

Vietnam headed into the match with strong determination knowing that a wide-margin victory would be a must for them to advance as the group winners and avoid a semifinal clash against arch rivals Thailand, who have already booked their semifinal berth by winning Group A.

Quang Hai (#19) chips a delightful through ball for Tien Linh to open the scoring. (Photo: Vnexpress)

Park’s troops deployed attacks right from the first whistle and needed just three minutes to open the scoring, with Tien Linh racing onto Quang Hai’s clever through ball to fire past goalkeeper Kimhuy Hul.

After the early opener, the Golden Star Warriors continued to pressure the opposite side, producing additional threats thanks to Quang Hai and Tien Linh.

Tien Linh completes his double with an eye-catching strike from long range. (Photo: Vnexpress)

In the 27th minute, Tien Linh completed his double with a wonderful long-range strike, giving Vietnam a comfortable two-goal advantage into halftime.

Bui Tien Dung headed home a third 10 minutes into the second half, which came as a result of the title holders’ stormy attacks after the restart.

Bui Tien Dung celebrates scoring a third goal for Vietnam. (Photo: Vnexpress)

Nguyen Quang Hai added a fourth with his first goal of the tournament two minutes later as Vietnam went on to enjoy a lopsided game.

In the remainder of the match, Park’s side created a bunch of opportunities but could not capitalise on any of them to further extend their lead.

With a 4-0 rout of Cambodia, the Golden Star Warriors advanced to the semifinals as the Group B runners-up. They had the same points (10) and goal difference but scored fewer goals than the Indonesians.

The overall Group B standings.

Vietnam will face Group A winners Thailand in the semifinal first leg on December 23, while Indonesia will play hosts Singapore a day earlier.