Vietnam win first match at World Cup qualifier

The national men’s football team of Vietnam secured their first win at the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying round after overcoming Taipei 2-1 at the Taipei Municipal Stadium in Taiwan on September 8.

Vietnam deliver a good start to their second 2018 World Cup qualification stage.
Vietnam deliver a good start to their second 2018 World Cup qualification stage.

After a goalless first half, defender Dinh Tien Thanh put Vietnam ahead at the 53rd minute with a close-range shot after striker Le Cong Vinh’s header from a corner delivered by midfielder Pham Thanh Luong in the right wing.

In response, substitute forward Wu Chun-ching managed to even the scores with eight minutes left of playing time.

Vietnam managed to take the lead once more in the second minute of a 10 minute extra-time period following a quick attack involving substitute Tran Phi Son and Vinh.

Son drove the ball into the opponent’s half and passed it to Vinh, who squared it back to Son. Despite losing his balance, Son managed to nudge the ball, which caught Chinese Taipei defender and goalkeeper off guard and rolled into the empty net.

With three points gained from the win, Vietnam rose to third place behind Thailand and Iraq in Group F. In the first match on May 24, Vietnam lost 1-0 to Thailand.

Vietnam will next host Iraq in its third match on October 8 at the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi.