Vietnam’s national team lost 0-1 to Syria at My Dinh Stadium on Saturday, making it harder for the country to qualify for the 2011 Asian Cup.

The bigger visitors proved more powerful in the end, although Vietnam were on equal terms with Syria all through the normal playtime of 90 minutes.

Syria’s winning goal came in the injury time of the second half when Raja Rafe’s close-range header beat goalkeeper Duong Hong Son.

“My players played with all their courage and spirit,” said coach Henrique Calisto. “I’m a bit disappointed because Cong Vinh (Vietnam’s top striker) didn’t play well; perhaps because of a psychological problem.

“The next match in Syria (on Wednesday Nov. 18) will be much harder for Vietnam.”

Syrian coach Fejer Ebrhim said, “Vietnam played well but Syria is more experienced and concentrated well. That’s why we won.

“We have achieved our goal of taking three points in this match. We have a big chance to qualify for the Asian Cup 2011 finals in Qatar.”

In another Group D match in Lebanon, China beat the home team 2-0 to be in second place with 6 points.

With the win, Syria now has 9 points after two other wins over China and Lebanon.

Vietnam is in third with only three points after beating Lebanon and losing to China and Syria while Lebanon is at the bottom with zero points after three losses.

Each team will play the other rivals in the group twice (first and second leg matches) and the two best teams in each group will qualify for the Asian Cup finals in Qatar in 2011.

Source: Thanh Nien