Vietnam’s national under-23 team notched yet another football victory at the Southeast Asian Games on December 14, spanking Singapore 4-1 to advance to the gold medal match.

Vietnamese fans flocked to the Chao Anuvong stadium in Laos to share the victory with Vietnamese football players.

The hopes of the SEA Games’ host, Laos, for another upset were dashed as Malaysia dominated its semifinal match to win 3-1.

Millions of jubilant fans took to the streets to celebrate on a mild winter night. A cacaphony of honks and cheers for the young heroes rang out for hours in all the major cities – Việt Nam chiến tháng (‘Victory for Vietnam!) – presumably just a foretaste of the pandemonium that will greet a Vietnamese victory in the Vietnam-Malaysia final on Thursday evening, December 17 at 17:45.

Singapore and Laos will meet for the bronze medal.

Singapore drew first blood in its match with Vietnam, a goal by Khairul in the 27^th minute. Vietnam tied the score in the 32^nd minute when Pham Thanh Binh headed in a Pham Thanh Hung free kick. With three minutes to go in the first half, Vietnam took the lead on a cross from the right that Mai Tien Thanh booted home.

Throughout the second half, Singapore never quit fighting but could not set up another goal. Meanwhile, substitute Chu Ngoc Anh added another goal for Vietnam in the 69^th minute. A final goal during penalty time by Nguyen Ngoc Anh sealed a stellar victory

In other Southeast Asia Games action, Vietnam’s women’s football squad have racked up three victories, plus a tie in its match with perennial rival Thailand. The two teams will play for the gold medal on Wednesday afternoon, December 16.

Vietnamese athletes are performing very well in the 25^th iteration of the SEA Games. At the end of the day on December 14, they had amassed 101 medals in all sports, including 32 golds, for second place overall behind Thailand (139 medals, 42 golds). Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia trail.

PV