Despite being considered the underdog against Syria, the Vietnamese team dominated the early minutes of the match. The Vietnamese players put pressure on Syria's half and repeatedly created dangerous opportunities in front of the Syrian goal.

Notably, in the 18th minute, Van Hau rose high to head the ball perfectly into the net, but Van Tung unfortunately missed the target with his shot.

In the 36th minute, the Vietnamese team continued to threaten the Syrian goal. From a skillful left-footed pass by Quang Hai just outside the penalty area, Cong Phuong headed the ball just over the Syrian crossbar.

Meanwhile, the Syrian players also created a few attacking opportunities, but none were truly clear-cut. As the first half drew to a close, the red-shirted players increased the pressure in an attempt to break the deadlock, but strikers like Tuan Anh, Van Tung, and Cong Phuong were unable to convert their chances into goals. The first half ended in a 0-0 draw.

In the second half, coach Philippe Troussier brought on Tuan Hai and Tien Anh to replace Cong Phuong and Van Thanh. The substitutions by the head coach of the Vietnamese national team proved effective. In the 49th minute, from a pass by Thai Son, substitute Tuan Hai controlled the ball, turned, and unleashed a quick shot from outside the penalty area. The ball went low into the top corner, leaving the Syrian substitute goalkeeper helpless and giving Vietnam the lead.

After scoring, the Vietnamese team played with even more enthusiasm and continuously created dangerous attacks against Syria, but no further goals were scored. Conversely, the Syrian players appeared very ineffective in the final moments. In the end, the Vietnamese team won 1-0 against their West Asian opponents at the Thien Truong Stadium.


A large crowd of fans headed towards Thien Truong Stadium to cheer on the Vietnamese national team. Photo: Viet An

Security forces strictly controlled the entry of fans into the stadium. Photo: Viet An

Fans arrived very early at Thien Truong Stadium to cheer on the Vietnamese national team. Photo: Viet An

People brought pictures of President Ho Chi Minh to cheer on the home team. Photo: VIET AN

A large number of fans came to cheer on the Vietnamese team. Photo: VIET AN

The national flag flies high in the stands. Photo: VIET AN


Vietnamese players warm up before the match. Photo: VIET AN

Vietnam national team starting lineup. Photo: VFF

THE MATCH BEGINS!

The Vietnamese team wore their traditional red shirts and red shorts, while the Syrian team wore white shirts and white shorts.

Coach Philippe Troussier fielded Cong Phuong and Quang Hai in the starting lineup for the Vietnamese national team.

In the opening minutes of the match, the Vietnamese team played confidently and proactively controlled the game against Syria.

Minute 6: Both teams are pushing the pace of the game quite high, but no clear scoring opportunities have been created yet.

Minute 10: DANGER!

From Van Hau's cross from the left wing into Syria's penalty area, unfortunately, Van Tung's shot missed the ball.

Cong Phuong was trusted by coach Troussier to start the first half. Photo: LAM THOA

Coach Troussier and the Vietnamese national team's coaching staff. Photo: VIET AN

14th minute: The Vietnamese team pushed their formation high up the field to put pressure on the Syrian team's half.


Medical personnel carry a Vietnamese fan who fainted in the stands to receive emergency treatment. Photo: VIET AN


17th minute: NO!

Van Hau and Van Tung continued to create dangerous attacking opportunities in Syria's penalty area, but the final shot from the number 7 was unsuccessful.

20th minute: DANGER!

Syria had a dangerous situation. Player number 21 delivered a cross into the box, but his teammate shot the ball wide.


Quang Hai and Van Hau played very hard from the start of the match. Photo: VIET AN

The Vietnamese team engages in an attacking style of play against the Syrian team. Photo: VIET AN

27th minute: The game is fairly balanced with both teams exchanging attacks. On the Vietnamese side, Quang Hai, Cong Phuong and their teammates are coordinating well with each other.

Cong Phuong proactively contests for the ball when the opposing team has possession. Photo: VIET AN

33rd minute: The Vietnamese team is still trying to find a goal to take the lead.

35th minute: NO GOAL!!

Quang Hai crossed the ball to Cong Phuong, who rose high to head it, but unfortunately, the ball went over the Syrian goal.

Doan Van Hau played outstandingly for Vietnam. Photo: VIET AN

40th minute: The match is in full swing as the Vietnamese players confidently control the ball and dominate the game. In the stands, the Nam Dinh fans are cheering enthusiastically.

A large number of fans came to Thien Truong Stadium to cheer on the Vietnamese national team. Photo: VIET AN

42nd minute: NO GOAL!!

From Cong Phuong's corner kick, the ball was sent towards the far corner of the Syrian goal. Van Hau jumped high to head the ball, but it went across the Syrian goal.

The incident where Van Hau was fouled dangerously by the opposing team. Photo: VIET AN

Coach Troussier gives instructions to his players. Photo: VIET AN

The first half had 4 minutes of added time.

47th minute: MISS!!

Tuan Anh confidently dribbled the ball down the left wing before taking a shot, but the ball narrowly missed the post of the Syrian goal.

FIRST HALF ENDS: Vietnam 0-0 Syria

SECOND HALF BEGINS!!

Cong Phuong and Van Thanh left the field, making way for two young strikers, Tuan Hai and Tien Anh.

49th minute: GOAL!!! TUAN HAI OPENS THE SCORING FOR VIETNAM!

Quang Hai is trying to prove himself after a long time playing football abroad. Photo: VIET AN

From a well-placed pass by Thai Son, striker Tuan Hai made a skillful touch before finishing past the Syrian goalkeeper to open the scoring for the Vietnamese team.

55th minute: Having taken the lead, the Vietnamese players played with even more enthusiasm and continuously created dangerous situations in front of the Syrian goal.

Quang Hai displayed excellent technique as he single-handedly broke through the opposing defense. Photo: VIET AN

60th minute: Syria continues to make personnel changes.

63rd minute: Coach Philippe Troussier brings Khuất Văn Khang onto the field to replace Đoàn Văn Hậu in order to strengthen the attack.

66th minute: DANGER!

From a free-kick situation on the left wing, Alkhouli rushed in and headed the ball, but luckily for the Vietnamese team, it went wide of the goal.


Tuan Hai celebrates with his teammates after scoring the opening goal that gave the Vietnamese team the lead. Photo: VIET AN

69th minute: DANGER!

Receiving the ball from a teammate, Al Mawas launched himself into an overhead kick from about 5 meters away from the Vietnamese goal, but the Syrian player missed the shot.

The stands erupted after Tuan Hai scored the opening goal. Photo: VIET AN

73rd minute: Van Toan and Van Toan come on as substitutes for Tuan Anh and Van Tung.

Duy Mạnh's aerial ball爭奪 situation. Photo: VIET AN

78th minute: NO!

From a quick counter-attack, Quang Hai received the ball from a teammate about 20 meters from the Syrian goal and immediately unleashed his familiar curling shot, but the ball went over the crossbar of the Syrian goal.

83rd minute: Quang Hải leaves the field, replaced by Thanh Bình.

86th minute: The Vietnamese team is playing at a relaxed pace. However, the Syrian players are still not creating much pressure on the Vietnamese goal.

Quang Hai had a pretty good game before being substituted. Photo: VIET AN

89th minute: Thanh Binh receives a yellow card after fouling Hosam Aiesh.

90th minute: NO GOAL!!

Van Khang made a determined run with the ball and then passed it inside to Van Toan, who took a shot, but the ball hit a Syrian player.

The match had 5 minutes of added time.

94th minute: DANGER!

Tuan Hai dribbled the ball and took a shot, but the ball went wide.

MATCH ENDS: VIETNAM WINS 1-0 AGAINST SYRIA!