The Vietnamese national U-19 football team failed to win the ASEAN Football Federation’s Nutifood U19 Cup 2014 on home soil after being defeated by their formidable Japanese rivals in the final in Ha Noi on Saturday.

There were few clear chances for either side during the first half which ended in a 0-0 draw.

However, in the 75^th minute, Japan’s Omotehara Genta, who just came onto the pitch during the match, put the pass from Ochi Yamato into the right corner to give his side a 1-0 lead.

Japan win AFF Nutifood U-19 Cup 2014 after defeating Viet Nam 1-0 in the final in Ha Noi on September 13, 2014.

Viet Nam later attacked in a failed effort to level the score when they faced strong defense from Japanese players.

The loss to Japan put Viet Nam at the second place of a regional championship for the third time.

Viet Nam and Japan both earned early tickets to the semifinals after defeating Australia 1-0 and 4-3, respectively though Viet Nam lost 3-2 to Japan in the last match of group B in the qualifying round on Tuesday.