With Quang Thanh, Tai Em and Phuoc Tu in the starting line-up, Vietnam played better than in its first match two days before when they lost 2-0 to U-23 RoK.
In the first 20 minutes, Vietnam dominated the midfield, creating many real chances to score while Singapore played defence-attack game. In the 6th minute, Quang Thanh’s shot was blocked by goalkeeper Abdullah Sunny. In the 16th minute Vu Phong headed over the crossbar from Minh Phuong’s cross before Thanh Luong fired over the crossbar three minutes later.
In a quick counter-attack in the 25th minute, Shi Jiayi helped Singapore go ahead with his powerful strike from Aleksandar Duric’s cross.
After the goal, Vietnam intensified their attacks but goalkeeper Abdullah Sunny played well, saving Quang Thanh’s shot in the 44th minute and blocking Tan Tai’s strike one minute later.
Right after the break, Vietnam pushed in to equalise but it was Abdullah Sunny who saved Tai Em’s header in the 54th minute and Vu Phong’s shot a minute later.
In the 76th minute, Tai Em scored the equaliser which made Vietnamese fans happy. Quang Thanh’s cross caused chaos in the box and Tai Em’s quick fire found the net from Si Manh’s back pass.
In the last ten minutes Quang Thanh,Vu Phong, Quang Hai and Trong Hoang missed four real chances to gave Vietnam the lead and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Earlier the same day, the DPRK were tied 1-1 by U-23 RoK.
Four minutes into the first half Al Il Bom gave the DPRK the lead with his super shot. In the 38th minute U-23 RoK received a penalty as Lim Sun Young was fouled in the box. Dead-ball expert Jung Woo Yang fired the equaliser from the penalty spot.
As a result , the U-23 RoK rank first followed by the DPRK, Singapore and Vietnam.
Drawing with Singapore,Vietnam will face a tough task to win the cup. But the hosts still have a small chance to capture the title if they can earn a big victory over the DPRK and the RoK lose to Singapore tomorrow.
