Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Hanoi: Vietnam claimed a 3-1 win over Philippines in Group B of the 2014 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Championship on Friday to book their place in the semi-finals.
An error from Patrick Deyto handed the hosts an eighth-minute lead at the My Dinh National Stadium, after the Philippines goalkeeper had allowed a 30-yard drive from Ngo Hoang Thinh to slip under his body and into the back of the net.
Vu Minh Tuan then doubled the Vietnamese’s advantage five minutes after the break when a lovely first touch saw him accelerate past Daisuke Sato and into the area, before he drilled a low shot into the bottom corner.
A third Vietnam goal then arrived in the 58th minute through a fine effort from Pham Thanh Luong, who picked up possession outside the area and unleashed a spectacular dipping shot that had Deyto beaten all ends up.
To their credit, Philippines did offer some resistance and pulled one back barely a minute after when Paul Mulders beat Tran Nguyen Manh with a deft finish from Jerry Lucena’s right-wing cross.
Nonetheless, Vietnam managed to hold out for the win to set up a semi-final meeting with the runners-up of Group B, while the second-placed Azkals will face off with the Group B winners for a place in the final.
Over at the Hang Day Stadium, Indonesia managed to finish off their campaign on a high despite ultimately being eliminated after cruising to a 5-1 victory over Laos.
Evan Dimas broke the deadlock for Garuda after nine minutes when he lashed a 20-yard strike into the top corner, before Ramdhani Lestaluhu met Cristian Gonzales’ layoff with a first-time shot past Seng Athit Somvang to make it 2-0 in the 20th minute.
The Laotians were however handed a way back into the contest eight minutes later after Indonesia defender Supardi Nasir was sent off for a last-man foul on Vilayout Sayyabounsou; Khampheng Sayavutthi converting the resultant penalty to reduce the deficit.
But five minutes into the second half, Manahati restored Indonesia’s two-goal lead when he was left with a simple finish at the back post, after Evan had broken down the left and played a cross into his path.
And eight minutes before time, Zulham Zamrun netted with an exquisite volley to all but end any hopes Laos had of mustering a comeback, before the emphatic victory was completed in the 89th minute when Ketsada Souksavanh scored an own-goal.