LookAtVietnam – Viet Nam took silver in the Budweiser 6v6 International Cup after losing a penalty shoot-out to Argentina in the final match at Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, England on Monday.

Hobnobbing: British football legend Bobby Charlton (centre) poses with the Viet Nam team after they took silver in the Budweiser 6v6 International Cup at Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, England on Monday.

The final match was the third face off between the two teams during the event. Viet Nam drew 1-1 in the first match and lost 1-2 in the second.

There was more aggression between the opposing players in the final than was seen in previous matches and it took only two minutes for the underdog to open the score.

Coach Hoang Xuan Hong asked his players to take full advantage of their technical skills to overcome their stronger and bigger South American rivals.

Captain Nguyen Tuan Anh took control of the ball in a counter-attack and toppled the Argentina goalkeeper with a straight shot to lead the game for much of the first half.

Argentina were unable to do anything until Ngo Duy Khanh was elbowed in the face and became dazed. The hole left by the key player gave Argentina an opportunity they didn’t waste.

A penalty shootout was needed in the end to determine the winner. Argentina took the cup when Viet Nam missed all three shots.

It was Argentina’s second victory at the tournament, following a 2003 triumph over the UAE when the event was held in the US.

The Budweiser Cup is a six-on-six amateur football tournament that gives recreational players the opportunity to live out their dreams by taking part in an international competition at a world renowned venue.

Teams play 10-minute games on a quarter-sized regulation field. Six players can play at a time and each team can have up to eight members on their roster.

The cup debuted in South Korea in 2002 where England claimed victory. The 2010 edition will be held in South Africa.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News