VietNamNet Bridge – Thailand brought home the T&T Cup after fighting Viet Nam to a 2-2 draw in the last match of the international football tournament held at Ha Noi’s My Dinh National Stadium yesterday.

Thailand brought home the T&T Cup after fighting Viet Nam to a 2-2 draw. (Photo: VNN)

However, they needed only six minutes to make it right, with a goal by Nataporn Phanrit. Phanrit received the ball from Teeratep Winothai and took full advantage of a misunderstanding between defenders Nguyen Phuoc Tu and Nguyen Minh Duc to convert it into the opening goal.

The visitors followed the goal with a series of assaults, although Viet Nam set the the pace of the match in early minutes. After the loss, however, the host team seemed to lose their spirit, making mistakes in their attacks that resulted in inaccurate finishes.

Striker Nguyen Viet Thang broke through the left wing, passing the ball to Le Cong Vinh, but the national best player missed a clear chance.

Newcomer Viet Cuong tried to prove his talent with several shots in the right wings but his efforts failed.

Viet Nam coach Henrique Calisto, clearly dissatisfied with the performance by his players, shouted and screamed the whole time.

Something must have worked, because six minutes into the second half Viet Thang levelled the result for Viet Nam from a header. Thang chose the best position from captain Nguyen Minh Phuong’s free kick jumped, and defeated Thai goalie Kittisak Rawangpa.

At the 88th minute, Thailand ran ahead. The scorer was Teerasil Dangda from Thonglao’s free kick. Dangda’s header was close to the goal and surprised all Vietnamese defenders and the keeper, who had almost no time to respond.

When many spectators believed that Viet Nam had again lost to their traditional rivals in the region. Cong Vinh led an attack and was faulted only some centimetres out of the penalty area.

Captain Phuong gave a straight shot which went through the Thai wall, tying the match.

The draw was enough for Thailand, with four points after one win and one draw, to take the T&T Cup and a bonus of US$40,000. Previously, Thailand defeated North Korea 1-0. Viet Nam, second with two draws, pocketed $20,000.

The tournament was considered a good chance for the two sides before they take part in the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Cup to be held next month. They are both in Group B with Malaysia and Laos.

Viet Nam will leave for Singapore on November 26 for a friendly against the host before the AFF Cup.

(Source: Viet Nam News)