Both teams won their first match, with Vietnam beating Macao 2-0 and Chinese Taipei defeating Laos with the same score.

Lê Minh Bình netted a double for Vietnam in a match where coach Hoang Anh Tuan said his players still made simple mistakes and did not strictly follow his tactics. Vietnam are in the second position in the ranking.

In a later match, Fong Shao-chi brought cheer to Chinese Taipei when he found the net in the 68th minute. Wand Chung-yu then made it 2-0 just four minutes later to ensure a winning start for the hosts. 

Chinese Taipei, who top the group, will next face Macao at the Hsinchu County Second Stadium. — VNS