VietNamNet Bridge – Hoang Dinh Tung scored the only goal in their match against Singapore yesterday in Hue city City that saw Vietnam claim third place at the International Under-21 Football Tournament.

VN take U-21 bronze at the International Under-21 Football Tournament. (Photo: VNN)

Tung, who was called onto the pitch as a substitute late in the second half, netted the goal in the 87th minute after a perfect pass from the left wing from second-half captain Nguyen Duc Thien.

Receiving the ball while running from the central area, Tung made a straight shot that fired past at least three Singapore defenders before it hit the net.

It was the only chance successfully converted into a goal after his teammates wasted several other opportunities throughout the game.

Thien, who was leading the top scorer table with three goals, missed the first opening for Vietnam at the 13th minute. Left halfback Le Duc Tai created an attack by giving a long-distance pass to striker Huynh Phuoc Hiep, who then passed to Thien. The Vietnamese player, who has been praised highly by both local and foreign coaches, shot to the far comer but it went wide.

Two minutes later Tai won a ball which bounced back after a scuffle in Singapore’s box. But his shoot was not strong enough to beat-goal-keeper Bin Mamut.

At the 16th minute, the pair wasted another good chance as Tai failed to net the ball after a tete-a-tete with the Singapore goalkeeper.

Singapore answered with a counter-attack. Bin kicked a long ball to his strikers, causing a spur of movement from the Vietnamese defenders who had not returned home after the previous assault. Keeper Nguyen Thanh Nam had to go out of his box to block the ball away.

It was a hard day for Bin as he tried to protect the net from a storm of shots from the Vietnamese side, including a header by Phan Thanh Hung at the 38th minute. But it wasn’t until the final second of the first half that Thien netted the ball from the off-side trap. Although the goal was not recognised, it spurred the Vietnamese side, who played much better in the second half.

Coach Luu Quoc Tan made two replacements with a view to strengthening the forward line. Captain Nguyen Van Khai went off with an injury to be replaced by Tung. Midfielder Hung was replaced by Nguyen Dinh Hiep.

Tung immediately tested Bin’s talent with a strong tap in the 57th and 62nd minutes. But it was third time lucky as he netted the goal with only three minutes left.

They may have towered over their Vietnamese rivals, but the Singapore players only had a few chances to score. The best one of life match came at the 75th minute as Abdul Mahit took the ball in the box, standing head to head with keeper Nam. Mahit also had enough time to adjust the ball but he missed his chance and shot it over the bar.

(Source: Viet Nam News)