Vietnam’s Olympic men’s football team beat their Pakistani rivals 3-0 in the first group match in men’s football of the Asian Games 2018 (ASIAD 18), which took place in Indonesia on August 14.


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Midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai opens the score for Vietnam


Midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai opened the score for Vietnam at the 20th minute, while the second goal was earned by team captain Nguyen Van Quyet near the end of the first half. 

Nguyen Cong Phuong made a goal at the 73rd minute to settle a 3-0 victory for the Vietnamese squad. The midfielder previously failed twice to score from penalty kicks.

With the victory, Vietnam takes the lead in Group D with three points, earning them a greater chance to qualify for the next phase.

The team will face Nepal on August 16 and then Japan on August 19.

The men’s football will finish on September 1. It will feature 26 teams in two groups of five and four groups of four. The top two teams from each group and the four best third-place teams will advance to the second round. 

Pakistani media lauds Vietnam’s Olympic football team


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Members of Vietnam's Olympic football team 



Vietnam’s Olympic football team is viewed as a tough competitor for the Pakistani squad, which is returning after its three-year ban from international football, noted Pakistani media.

Ahead of the Vietnam-Pakistan match - part of the upcoming Asian Games 2018 (ASIAD 18) - on August 14, the media ran an article explaining that their team is stuck in a difficult grouping with Vietnam as one of the best young teams in Asia. Vietnam made it to the finals of the the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U23 Championship, only just losing 1-2 to Uzbekistan, it added.

Vietnam has made thorough preparations for the ASIAD 18 as the team triumphed at a recent football championship after victory against Palestine, Oman, and a tie with Uzbekistan.

The media noted that Vietnam is aiming for a robust start and then victory in men’s football during ASIAD 18.

The Vietnam team left for Indonesia on August 11 and has undergone several training sessions to prepare for their first game.

Following the game against Pakistan, Vietnam will take on Nepal on August 16 and then Japan on August 19.

The men’s football will finish on September 1. It will feature 26 teams in two groups of five and four groups of four. The top two teams from each group and the four best third-place teams will advance to the second round. 


VNA