>>> Vietnam secure berth in 2020 AFC U23 finals after 4-0 win over Thailand
Forward Xuan Tao made use of a serious mistake from Thai goalkeeper Soponwit to score the solitary goal of the final to seal a convincing victory for the host team.
This is the second consecutive triumph for Vietnamese football against the Thais in a final clash within the past five days. Earlier, Vietnamese U23s thrashed their Thai opponents with four unanswered goals to qualify for the 2020 AFC U23 Championship finals as the Group K winners.
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Forward Xuan Tao scores the solitary goal of the match to fire Vietnam U19s to the championship trophy. (Photo: vnexpress.net)
Both Vietnam and Thailand seized a three-game unbeaten run into the final on Saturday, with two wins against China and Myanmar and a goalless draw in a direct encounter between them.
Graechen’s players had the better of the match in the first half, creating a number of chances to score, notably a powerful long-range strike that went over the crossbar.
Thailand missed a clear-cut opportunity to break the deadlock a few minutes after halftime, as Guntapon took a favourable pass inside the box, but drove a shot over the crossbar to the regrets of the Thai coaching staff.
The guests were forced to pay dearly for their wastefulness 10 minutes later, as Xuan Tao punished a deadly mistake by keeper Soponwit to put the Vietnamese side in front. The Thai goalie carelessly handle a through ball from midfield to Xuan Tao, allowing the No. 11 forward to dash into the box and easily slot in from close range.
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Xuan Tao celebrates scoring the opener for Vietnam U19s. (Photo: laodong.vn)
With time running out, Thai players intensified their attacks seeking to earn an equaliser. They came close to restoring parity in the 74th minute, as a freekick from about 30 metres unluckily hit the crossbar of keeper Van Chuan.
Xuan Tao managed to find the back of the net for the second time one minute later; however, his second goal was ruled offside.
The 1-0 score remained unchanged until the final whistle, which also meant a well-deserved vcitory for coach Graechen’s side. This is the third time in a row that the Vietnamese team have been crowned champions at the int’l U19 tournament.
In addition to the overall trophy, Vietnam U19s won the fair-play award and three individual prizes, including the “best goalkeeper” for Van Chuan, and the “top scorer” and “best player” for forward Xuan Tao.
