>>> Futsal: Vietnam top Group B after 2-0 win against Australia
Coach Miguel Rodrigo’s side finished second in Group B after playing three matches, accumulating seven points, the same as group leaders Indonesia, who have better goal difference.
Indonesia trounced Australia 8-3 in an early Group B match yesterday afternoon, forcing Vietnam to earn at least a five-goal margin victory against Malaysia that evening to claim the title of group winners. It was a very difficult task as Malaysia have always been tough opponents for Vietnam for many years.
With the home advantage, Vietnam entered their last group stage game with high spirits. They created a range of scoring opportunities but the excellence of the Malaysian goalkeeper denied Vietnamese strikers their early opener.
It took until the 7th minute before Thanh Tin could give Vietnam the lead from his cool left foot finish. Coach Rodrigo's side continued to overwhelm their opponents, however, they were unable to increase their goal tally for the remainder of the half as both Duc Tung and That Phi missed all their chances.
The hosts put more pressure from the start of the second half and Vu Duc Tung increased Vietnam's advantage in the 26th minute. Needing to score three more goals to get the top spot, Vietnam decided to play Power-Play.
However, Malaysia - who lost both their earlier matches - fought back and narrowed the deficit through Abu Haniffa Hasan’s effort in the 33rd minute, before levelling 2-2 four minutes later thanks to Mohd Azwann.
Vietnam raised the tempo after that and struck twice in the closing minutes, with Nguyen Minh Tri scoring their third in the 38th and Chau Doan Phat sealing the full three points with only 30 seconds remaining.
The 4-2 victory could not send Vietnam to the top of Group B, despite joining Indonesia in the semis. The hosts will next meet title favourites Thailand, who trounced Myanmar 9-0 in their last Group A match yesterday. The remaining semi-final is a confrontation between Group A runners-up Myanmar and Group B winners Indonesia. All semis matches will take place on October 25.
The last matchday results on October 23
Group A:
Thailand 9-0 Myanmar
Cambodia 4-4 Timor-Leste
 |
Group B:
Indonesia 8-3 Australia
Vietnam 4-2 Malaysia
 |
Semi-finals (October 25)
16:30 Indonesia - Myanmar
19:00 Vietnam - Thailand
