Viet Nam’s U-23 team ended the Smartdoor Cup with a goalless draw to Thailand’s U-23 team at My Dinh National Stadium on November 9.

Viet Nam’s U-23 team ended the Smartdoor Cup with a goalless draw to Thailand’s U-23 team. (Photo: VNN)

In a match earlier yesterday, China cruised to a 2-0 win over Singapore to rank second at the cup and receive a cash prize of $10,000.

Thailand placed third after three draws.

Yesterday’s match was Viet Nam’s most anticipated as Thailand will be their main opponent at the SEA Games in Laos next month.

Vietnamese midfielder Mai Tien Thanh took the first chance when he fired a shot over the head of Thai keeper Kawin Thanchanaya.

The Thais then regrouped to press Viet Nam with long, high balls that several times challenged Vietnamese goalie Bui Tan Truong.

Thailand netted the ball once, but the goal was not allowed by the referee because a Thai striker faulted Vietnamese keeper Truong.

After the break, the hosts took control of the game and blocked the Thai strikers all the way.

Coach Henrique Calisto of Viet Nam sent three key players, Pham Thanh Luong, Trinh Quang Vinh and Nguyen Trong Hoang, into the line-up to try to get a win over Thailand.

The Smartdoor Cup is a warm-up for Thailand, Singapore and Viet Nam in the SEA Games.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News