The North Korean U-23 team drew against hosts Viet Nam in a goalless match today but still managed to win the Millennium Thang Long-Ha Noi Football Cup at My Dinh stadium yesterday, Sept 24.

Negated: Captain Nguyen Minh Phuong (left) vies for the ball against a North Korean defender in the last match of the Millennium Thang Long-Ha Noi Cup yesterday. North Korea won the title after drawing 0-0 with the hosts. (Photo: VNS)

The North Korean, who took two wins over Kuwait and Australia, placed first with seven points.

Viet Nam, who beat Kuwait 3-0 and lost to Australia 2-0, ranked second with four points, after edging out Australia on goal difference.

In the early match yesterday, Australia were held to a goalless draw by Kuwait, which left the Australian Olyroos in third place at the tournament.

The North Koreans, whose team featured six World Cup players, set up a strong defence to block the hosts’ attacks.

Vietnamese strikers failed to penetrate the North Korean defence, firing only long shots at goal.

Captain Nguyen Minh Phuong had the best chance in the first half time when he lobbed the ball from the edge, but it was saved by the North Korean goalie.

In the second half, North Korean threatened the hosts with their rapid counterattacks, but Vietnamese keeper Duong Hong Son put in a good performance to save all the shots.

During the last 10 minutes, Portuguese coach Calisto bolstered his strikers, which he hoped would break the North Korean defence, but the hosts failed to net the ball.

North Korean walked away with a US$20,000 cash prize, while Viet Nam pocketed $10,000.

The tournament was held to mark the 1,000 anniversary of the capital city.

After the tournament, Viet Nam will be defending their title in the ASEAN Football Federation-Suzuki Cup, which is co-hosted by Viet Nam and Indonesia and will run from December 1 to 29.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News