Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Hanoi: Vietnam made a ruthless start to their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Jordan 2018 qualifying campaign on Wednesday, completely outclassing Syria to secure an 11-0 win and send out a warning to their Group D rivals.
The group’s host and top seeds wasted little time in stamping their dominance on the match, taking the lead inside the first minute when Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung found space on the right to set up Nguyen Thi Lieu for a simple tap in.
The goal, and the manner in which it came, would prove to be a portent of things to come, as Vietnam repeatedly breached the Syrian defence, with their organisation and movement off the ball far too slick for the West Asians to handle.
Pham Hai Yen made it two after six minutes, before a foul on Thi Lieu five minutes later saw referee Siyu Mi award a penalty which was calmly dispatched by Tuyet Dung.
Nguyen Thi Nguyet added a fourth when she finished off a delightful Vietnamese passing move, before Nugyen Thi Hoa’s heavily deflected long range effort wrong-footed the hapless Noor Jumma to make it five.
Abd Ali Tatteesh’s side had performed admirably in their return to international football on Matchday One, but found themselves six goals down with three quarters of the match still to be played when Pham Hai Yen’s persistence was rewarded with a simple finish.
A bewildered Syria then saw the impressive Tuyet Dung bag her second after 37 minutes, before conceding goal number eight on the stroke of half-time when Thi Nguyet’s tireless running was rewarded with her second of the night.
After the break, a much more organised Syria emerged and, despite the hosts’ uninterrupted dominance of the possession stakes, they resolutely managed to temporarily close the floodgates.
Indeed, it took until the the 71st minute for the hosts to add to their bulging tally, Nguyen Thi Muon prodding the ball home from close range to resume the scoring. Substitute Nguyen Thi Thuy Hang then made it a perfect ten when she punished a sloppy attempted clearance four minutes later.
The eleventh and final goal, scored by Thi Hoa, completed a dream start for Vietnam, as they look to return to the continental showpiece they hosted three years ago.
Their campaign will continue against Singapore on Friday, while Syria will face in-form Myanmar in what will be another tough test against one of Southeast Asia’s strongest teams.
Vietnam head coach Mai Duc Chung:
“I’m satisfied with the goalkeeper and the defence, however I am not really satisfied with the strikers. I need to work with them. I’m not really satisfied with this match. I want more, but it’s okay because we have three points and none of our players are injured. I watched Myanmar many times and I have recordings of their matches. I really highly appreciate Myanmar and I think they are the biggest opponent to us (in qualifying for the finals).”
Syria head coach Abd Alghini Tatteesh:
“We know our possibilities. We came here mainly to participate and, if we can, to compete. It’s our first time here in Hanoi. It’s lovely city and we are enjoying our time. People are nice and very respectful, and we appreciate this."
Photo: Vietnam Football Federation