Vietnam failed to book their place in the title match of the 2019 AFF U22 Youth Championship after succumbing to a 0-1 defeat against Indonesia in their semifinal clash at Cambodia’s National Olympic Stadium on February 24.

Vietnam (in white) miss a number of chances during the match. Photo by Dtinews

Despite creating fewer opportunities throughout the match, Indonesia took advantage of a set piece in the second half to score the solitary goal and cruise into the final game.

It was the Vietnamese side who performed better during the first half. Tran Duc Nam produced the first threat to the Indonesian goal after 19 minutes with a header over the crossbar.

Coach Nguyen Quoc Tuan’s side wasted a golden chance to break the deadlock a few minutes before halftime, as three Vietnamese players failed to touch the ball right in front of the goal after it was lofted into the penalty area from a free-kick situation.

Luthfi Kamal beat keeper Van Bieu with a cunning free-kick to seal the victory for Indonesia. (Photo: vnexpress.net)

Keeper Van Bieu brilliantly rescued Vietnam three minutes into the second half, as he parried to safety a close-range header by Wanewar. However, he could not prevent Luthfi Kamal from scoring the winning goal for Indonesia with an unstoppable freekick in the 70th minute.

As the semifinal losers, Vietnam will play the third-place playoff on February 26, while Indonesia play the title match with the winners of the other semifinal clash between Thailand and Cambodia.

Nhan Dan