East Timor fares better in 0-4 loss to Vietnam

Published: 05/12/2009 05:00

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Vietnam’s Under-23 footballers trounced East Timor 4-0 in the second group stage match at the SEA Games Friday, but the unknown underdogs fared far better than their previous nil-11 slaughter against Malaysia.

A hat-trick by midfielder Mai Tien Thanh was the highlight of the game in Vientiane, though East Timor consistent pressure and the first half ended without a goal.

After the break, the Vietnamese played faster, but the Timor battlers’ counter attacks were not easy for the favorites in red to handle.

Less than 10 minutes into the second half, the Vietnamese efforts were rewarded when Tien Thanh took a neat pass from striker Ngoc Anh and overtook an East Timor defender before firing a shot past goalkeeper Diamantino Leong.

After breaking the deadlock, the Vietnamese’s spirits rose and they put their second goal in the net just four minutes later.

Again, it was perfect coordination between Ngoc Anh and Tien Thanh: from the left flank, Anh sent the ball to the tip of the penalty area and Thanh headed it to the back of the net.

Vietnam’s coach Henrique Calisto then made three substitutions, striker Thanh Binh, midfielder Trong Hoang and captain Thanh Luong replaced Dinh Tung, Manh Dung and Thanh Hung respectively.

Vietnam looked even stronger with the subs and Thanh Binh made it 3-0 on the rebound of a powerful strike by midfielder Quy Suu in the 63rd minute.

Thanh scored his third goal five minutes later on a pass from Binh.

Speaking after the match, Calisto said, “East Timor was not strong but we had a hard time in the first half. Fortunately, my players played better in the second and could score.”

The Portuguese tactician said the next match against Malaysia on Sunday would be extremely difficult and the team would have to fight for a win to ensure a berth in the semifinals.

In the other Group A match, reigning Thailand also beat Cambodia 4-0.

Two weeks of men’s football matches at the 25th SEA Games in Laos kicked off on Tuesday (December 3).

Source: Thanh Nien

Provide by Vietnam Travel

East Timor fares better in 0-4 loss to Vietnam - Sports - News |  vietnam travel company

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