VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam’s U23 team were defeated 2-3 by South Korean Ulsan Hyundai FC in a friendly match at the Hanoi’s Hang Day Stadium yesterday.

Nguyen Van Toan of Vietnam (right) scores a goal in a friendly match against South Korean Ulsan Hyundai FC yesterday in Hanoi. — VNS Photo Tuan Tu

This was one of preparation matches for the team before the Asian U23 Football Championship next month in China.

Before the game, Coach Kim Do Hoon of the visiting team said a win for his club was difficult as Vietnam is a strong team but Hyundai proved to be stronger while the host was not as powerful as he thought.

Ulsan Hyundai needed just 10 minutes to test the Vietnamese side before they opened the score with a penalty.

Defender Hoang Van Khanh made a mistake in the box and the visiting side was given an 11 metre kick that Kim Seung Jun did not waste.

Three minutes later it was 2-0 for them.

Ulsan Hyundai’s Kim In Sung received a long pass and broke through Vietnam’s defence to face goalkeeper Nguyen Van Hoang. His straight shot did not give Hoang a chance to save his net.

The South Korean side continued dominating the game in the rest of the first half while Vietnam also had their attacks.

Midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai brought a corner kick to the box which came to Bui Tien Dụng whose header, however, reached Ulsan Hyundai keeper Moon Jung In.

Later on, Nguyen Phong Hong Duy had a low shot at the 21st minute but it went a little wide.

Six changes were made in the Vietnamese side after the interval as Coach Park Hang-seo tried to improve his team’s attacking abilities.

Among the strikers, Nguen Van Toan and Ha Duc Chinh showed their best.

Just four minutes after staying on the field, Toan made it 1-2 with a finish from a narrow angle to a far high corner of goalie Moon at the 50th mark.

His goal was a strong push for the teammates.

Striker Nguyen Cong Phuong missed his threatening chance when he was just meters in front of the goalmouth.

Midfielder Hai was also not successful with his finish and could not pass Moon.

Toan continued to make Ulsan Hyundai’s defence disordered with his attempts as well as accurate passes to teammates in Hyundai’s box.

In the 88th minute, he gave a perfect ball to Chinh who made a loop ball over Moon to the net, making it 2-2 for the hosts.

However, Hyundai’s substitute Kang Min Soo netted with a left-foot kick to bring his team 3-2 win in the extra time.

Speaking with reporters after the match, Vietnamese Captain Luong Xuan Truong said, “Ulsan Hyundai is a strong team in South Korea. I think they play the same style with their U-23 squad. Playing with them is a good chance for us to know more about one of our rivals at the coming Asian championship.”

“We made many mistakes in the first half but in the second we did a better job. After this match we will have to work harder to fix our problems,” said Trường, who has played two years in the South Korean K. League.

Meanwhile his teammate Toan said he was happy as he could score for the U-23 team. It would be a strong force for him and would make him more confident for the continental tournament next month in China.

“We can see the South Korean style through Ulsan Hyundai. We will find out their pros and cons and work on how to overcome them in China,” he said.

Vietnam will play a final friendly match against Palestine on January 4 in Shanghai before they officially taking part in the Asian tournament.

In China, Vietnam is in Group D with South Korea, Australia and Syria. The competition is from January 9 to January 27. 

Source: VNS