Viet Nam beat Laos 3-0 in its first match of Group A in the ASEAN Federation Football (AFF) Suzuki Cup 2018, which took place at the Laos National Stadium in Vientiane on 8 November.

Striker Nguyen Anh Duc (Number 11) doubled the score for Viet Nam at the 47th minute (Photo: VNA)

Striker Nguyen Cong Phuong (Number 14), opened the score for Viet Nam at the 11^th minute.

Viet Nam stepped up attacks but missed many chances afterwards, until striker Nguyen Anh Duc (Number 11), found the net at the 47^th minute, just seconds before the first half ended.

In the second half, Viet Nam continued its advantages with higher ball possession compared to its rival.

Midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai (Number 19) made a goal with an exemplary free kick at the 68th minute, settling the score at 3-0. The midfielder was one of the most brilliant players of Viet Nam at the Asian Football Confederation U23 Championship in January.

Previously, Malaysia defeat Cambodia 1-0 in the first match of the tournament.

The AFF Suzuki Cup 2018 is taking place from  8 November to 15 December with 26 matches among 10 teams. Viet Nam’s national men’s football team is in Group A together with fellow South East Asian teams, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.

This year, the AFF Suzuki Cup will feature a new playing format, with both home and away ties. Viet Nam will face Malaysia on November 16 at My Dinh Stadium in Ha Noi and will play Myanmar four days later.

In the tournament’s history, Viet Nam won the championship just once in 2008. With the leadership of coach Park Hang-seo and the current squad, both Vietnamese and Korean football fans are hopeful the S-shaped country’s team will take the trophy for the second time after 10 years awaiting.

(Source: VNA)