VietNamNet Bridge – Substitute Nguyen Vu Phong scored twice to clinch a 3-2 win for Viet Nam in a do-or-die match with Malaysia in the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup at Sarakul Stadium in Phuket, Thailand yesterday.

My kick: Viet Nam’s Phan Van Tai Em (right) vies for the ball against Malaysian Mohamad Zaquan Adha in the AFF Cup.

The win now opens the door to the semi-finals for Viet Nam, after the team suffered a 2-0 loss to Thailand in group B opener last Saturday.

Striker Nguyen Viet Thang took a shot at goal just three minutes into the game, but his shot was easily saved by Malaysian goalkeeper Elias.

Elias, however, could not block a 30m skilful shot by Vietnamese midfielder Pham Thanh Luong in the 17th minute.

Luong dribbled the ball to the centre and suddenly launched a rocket to the back of the net, putting Viet Nam in the lead.

Viet Nam’s happiness did not last long, because Indra Putra tapped the ball in after Mohd Zainal’s shot hit the post in the 20th minute.

The goal helped Malaysia tie the score and led Calisto to shout at the Singaporean referee for allowing the goal when the striker appeared to be offside.

From that time in the game, Calisto had to instruct his players through an assistant from the stand.

The first half ended 1-1.

After the break, Calisto substituted Phong for captain Nguyen Minh Phuong, who helped Viet Nam bag a bronze medal at the championship in 2002.

The change paid off.

In the 72nd minute, Phong chested his teammate’s lob near the 18-yard edge past a Malaysian defender and stunned goalie Elias with a powerful shot to the net at a close corner.

Earlier, Malaysia missed a clear chance when Mohd Safee Sali rocketed the ball to hit the bar.

Malaysia managed to tie the score in the 85th minute, with Indra Putra scoring his second goal of the game.

The match seemed it would end in a draw as time was running out. But, Viet Nam got lucky.

Four minutes to the last whistle, Phong lobbed the ball to striker Le Cong Vinh in a final attack. Driving rain and Elias straying too far from the goal allowed Phong’s pass to bounce over Elias and roll into the net, making possible the valuable win for Viet Nam.

The win sustained Viet Nam in third place of group B with three points, but the team needs a win over Laos in their last match tomorrow to sail into the semi-finals.

In a later match yesterday, Thailand crushed Laos 6-0 to rank at the top with six points and qualify for the semi-finals.

The last match between Viet Nam and Laos will be held at Sarakul Stadium tomorrow in Phuket instead of in Bangkok as originally planned, while Thailand will face-off with Malaysia in Bangkok.

(Source: Viet Nam News)