Xuan Son and Tuan Hai scored to help Vietnam win 3 points in Laos

việt nam - Ảnh 1. — Xuan Son celebrates scoring the opening goal from the 11m mark for Vietnam against Laos - Photo: HAI HOANG

This was a very difficult match for coach Kim Sang Sik's team when the home team Laos proactively retreated to defend with 9 players protecting the goal of goalkeeper Anoulak Vilaphone. This made it very difficult for Vietnam's attack to approach the opponent's penalty area.

While Vietnam still could not create a dangerous opportunity, the host Laos suddenly created a situation that made Vietnamese fans' hearts skip a beat. In the 3rd minute, striker Bounphachan Bounkong fired a long shot from a distance of more than 25m, the ball went in a very uncomfortable trajectory and goalkeeper Van Lam had to dive to push the ball away to save Vietnam.

In the 14th minute, Tien Linh fired a shot from a distance of more than 30 meters, sending the ball flying over the bar. Exactly 7 minutes later, Van Vi handled the ball well and passed it to Hoang Duc to shoot in the penalty area. Unfortunately, the shot from the midfielder playing for Ninh Binh Club went over the bar.

In the 31st minute, Cao Pendant Quang Vinh's effort created a great opportunity for Tien Linh, but this striker shot high into the sky in a face-to-face situation with Laos goalkeeper Anoulak Vilaphone. Then Tien Linh missed another good opportunity in the 42nd minute.

That is why Tien Linh was replaced by coach Kim Sang Sik, giving way to Xuan Son, who returned for the first time after 10 months of injury. Although he could not have the best feeling for the ball, Xuan Son created many moments that brought opportunities to the Vietnamese team.

In the 60th minute, Xuan Son passed the ball to Tuan Hai in an open position in the penalty area, but unfortunately, the striker's shot hit the crossbar. In the 68th minute, also from Xuan Son's pass, Tuan Hai ran down to make a cross near the crossbar, causing defender Somsanid to let the ball touch his hand in the penalty area. The referee pointed to the 11m mark and Xuan Son kicked the ball to help Vietnam lead 1-0.

In the 90+4 minute, goalkeeper Vilaphone made a mistake in clearing the ball inaccurately, creating an opportunity for Tuan Hai to jump up and volley in a "bicycle kick" style to score, raising the score to 2-0 for the Vietnamese team.