Vietnam lose to Australia in U23 football

Vietnam lost to Australia 2-0 in the second match of Group D of the Asian U-23 Football Championship in Qatar on January 17. 

The 2-0 victory against Vietnam lights up Australia's hope to secure a quaterfinal ticket. (photo: AFC)
The 2-0 victory against Vietnam lights up Australia's hope to secure a quaterfinal ticket. (photo: AFC)

James Donachie opened the scoring for Australia in the second minute of the match.

Vietnam had several chances to level the score but failed to convert them into a goal.

After the break, Jamie Maclaren doubled the score for Australia in the 60th minute.

Earlier, Australia fell to a 1-0 defeat to the UAE thanks to a late own goal by Giancarlo Gallifuoco at Grand Hamed Stadium, while Vietnam lost 3-1 to Jordan in the opening game.

Vietnam will meet the UAE on January 20.

A total of 16 teams qualified to play in the tournament, including Qatar, who qualified automatically as hosts.

The top three teams of the championship will qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics men's football tournament in Brazil.