VietNamNet Bridge - Dominating the match but Vietnam were tied in a goalless game with Singapore tonight in their first leg semi-final at the My Dinh National stadium.

Vietnam started the match confidently, producing attack after attack to find an early opener while Singapore played a defensive game. In the 3^rd minute Tan Tai headed wide of the left post. In the18^th minute Viet Thang should have to open the scoring when receiving the ball from Vu Phong’s cross but his shot hit the right post.

Supported by 40,000 fans, Vietnam continued to press forward and created a lot of chances to go ahead but their shots could not get to the target. It was Lionel Lewis who played a good match in the Singapore nets, catching Tai Em’s header in the 22^nd minute.

Vu phong’s strike in the 30^th minute and Tan Tai’s long-range shot sevent minutes later.

With Vietnam pressing forward, Singapore made the counter-attack but created a few chances to score.Ten minutes to the end of the first half the Vietnamese players pushed up to attack but the guests’ defence played extremely well and no goal was scored.

Straight from the break, the Lions’s two corner kicks were blocked and caught by goalkeeper Hong Son. Then it was Vietnam’s turn to attack again. In the 56^th minute Vu Phong’s strike from a free-kick was saved by Lionel before Tai Em headed over the crossbar. In the 75^th minute defender Phuoc Tu scored his own goal with his header but it was ruled out as Alam Shah was in an offside position. Fifteen minutes to the end, Vietnam produced many attacks to find the first goal but all their efforts were in vain.

The match ended in a goalless draw. It is not a bad result for Vietnam but they should try their best while facing Singapore in the second leg on December 21.

(Source: Nhan Dan)