LookAtVietnam – Viet Nam beat Kuwait 1-0 in a friendly in Kuwait on Sunday night, thanks to a goal from halfback Trong Hoang.

National squad coach Calisto.

Although it was only a friendly, the Viet Nam team rated the result highly.

“The match gave us the basis for the future for the national team, as well as the U-23 team at the coming 25th SEA Games,” said their coach, Henrique Calisto.

Viet Nam beat Greek champions Olympiakos 1-0 in an earlier international friendly game in Ha Noi on May 15.

In the latest FIFA rankings, Kuwait ranks 118th and Viet Nam 136th.

Kuwait dominated the first quarter and created many dangerous situations, especially on the right but the visitors’ halfbacks gradually developed confidence, controlled the ball well and created space.

Hoang’s goal followed a team effort featuring Le Phuoc Tu and Brazilian-born striker Huynh Kesley Alves.

Boosted by the goal and support from expat fans in Kuwait, the visitors played with more confidence and dominated their rivals and had three definite chances to score in the second half.

Kuwait also had their chances but were thwarted by the outstanding work of goalie Dinh Hoang La.

As qualifying for the 2011 Asian Cup begins, Viet Nam will host Syria in Ha Noi on November 14.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News