After missing out on the final, Vietnam performed brilliantly in the match for third-place at Hang Day Stadium in Hanoi on September 24, thrashing Timor Leste with a score of 4-0 to claim the bronze medal of the 2016 AFF U-19 Championship.

Tran Thanh put Vietnam ahead after 24 minutes with a shot from outside the box before Duc Chinh doubled the advantage three minutes later.

Seconds before half time, Thanh Hau delivered a comfortable finish to make it 3-0 for the hosts.

In the second half, Vietnam maintained their constant attacks on goal despite the heavy rain, which paid off two minutes before full-time when Tong Anh Ty beat Timor keeper Raul with a powerful strike, sealing an aggregate 4-0 victory for the white shirts.

Earlier, Vietnam also recorded an easy 4-1 win against Timor in the group stage.

In the final, Australia easily defeated Thailand with a score of 5-1 to claim the championship title for the first time.

U-19 Australia celebrate their first-ever championship title.

After the regional competition, Vietnam, as well as Australia and Thailand, will have nearly three weeks to prepare for the finals of the 2016 AFC U-19 Championship, scheduled to take place in Bahrain from October 13 to 30.

Vietnam has been drawn in Group B, along with Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Nhan Dan