Although midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai and striker Nguyen Xuan Son were not included in the starting line-up, head coach Kim Sang Sik’s side still began the match on the front foot. Their high-pressing approach quickly paid off as Viet Nam opened the scoring in the sixth minute.
After Nguyen Hai Long carried the ball down the left flank, it was played to Nguyen Hoang Duc, who set up Nguyen Van Vi to run through and finish diagonally past goalkeeper Nadeo Argawinata, giving the visitors the lead.
After going behind, Indonesia pushed higher in search of an equaliser. However, before the hosts could create many clear-cut chances, Viet Nam struck again with a sharp counterattack.
In the 15th minute, Le Pham Thanh Long delivered an accurate long pass for Nguyen Hai Long to sprint from his own half before calmly finishing past Nadeo, doubling Viet Nam’s advantage.
The visitors continued to dominate for the remainder of the first half. In the 42nd minute, Nguyen Tai Loc almost made it 3-0 with a header that went narrowly wide after a cross from Pham Xuan Manh. Indonesia created only one notable chance in first-half stoppage time, but Mitch Baker’s header was off target.
After the break, Indonesia increased the pressure in an effort to reduce the deficit, but they came up against a well-organised Vietnamese defence.
In the 63rd minute, head coach Kim Sang Sik brought on Nguyen Xuan Son, and the adjustment quickly proved effective. After being denied by goalkeeper Nadeo in a one-on-one situation in the 70th minute, the Nam Dinh FC striker made no mistake just one minute later, latching on to Nguyen Hoang Duc’s through ball and finishing accurately to seal a 3-0 win for Viet Nam.
With an outstanding display in both defence and attack, defender Nguyen Van Vi was named Player of the Match by the organisers.
The victory over Indonesia gave Viet Nam seven points after three matches, sending them to the top of Group A thanks to a better goal difference than Singapore and a one-point lead over Indonesia. In the final round of matches, Kim Sang Sik’s side will host Cambodia, while Indonesia will visit Singapore.
