Vietnam’s U23 team have a big chance to progress to the semfinals of the 25th South East Asian Games in Vientiane after they defeated Malaysia 3-1 in their third group stage match on Sunday.

Vietnam team coach Henrique Calisto fielded his strongest side and Vietnam took the lead after 10 minutes with striker Phan Thanh Binh making no mistake from the penalty spot.

South Korean referee Kim Jong Hyeok pointed to the spot after a Thanh Binh free kick resulted in a Malaysian player’s handball.

Vietnam doubled the score about 15 minutes later after midfielder Mai Tien Thanh, who scored a hat-trick in Vietnam’s 4-0 win over East Timor two days earlier, put one past Malaysian goalkeeper Mohd Farizal Marlias in a one-on-one situation after collecting a clever pass from playmaker Trong Hoang.

However, defender Hoang Quang headed an own goal during a Malaysian counterattack to help reduce the margin.

The match picked up pace as Malaysia fought fiercely for an equalizer.

As the first half was drawing to an end, Trong Hoang fired a powerful shot from outside the penalty area to make it 3-1 for Vietnam.

Malaysia fought even more strongly after the break but could not breach their opponents’ defence, although both teams had their own chances.

Speaking after the match, Malaysian coach K. Rajagopal said, “We conceded a goal early in the match and it was difficult for us.

“We have to forget about this game and think about a win over Thailand in the next match to book a berth in the semifinals.”

Vietnam coach Calisto said, “My players played well and deserved to win. Trong Hoang played well in the game. He strengthened the midfield.”

Calisto said he didn’t think the referee was biased because he was a South Korean, not a referee in the Southeast Asian region.

In another Group A match, Cambodia beat East Timor 4-1.

In the women’s football event, Vietnam thrashed Malaysia 8-0 in the opening match.

Source: Thanh Nien