Vietnam took the lead as early as the first minute, only to see Thailand fight back to restore parity in the 34th minute. The young Golden Star Warriors went ahead again in the 73rd minute, but were denied a winning start when Thailand equalised with a stoppage time goal to salvage a point.

Phan Tuan Tai celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal for Vietnam.

Phan Tuan Tai handed Vietnam a dream start as he opened the scoring just 20 seconds in. He intercepted Jonathan Khemdee’s pass and then placed a shot from over 20 yards out with the ball deflecting off Khemdee’s shoulder and over an outstretched Kiadtiphon Udom.

Thailand closed in on an equaliser in the eighth minute when Suphanat Mueanta and Chatmongkol Rueangthanarot threatened with an exchange of passes, but defender Nham Manh Dung made a timely intervention to foil Suphanat’s close-range effort.

Vietnam dropped the advantage in the 34th minute when substitute Benjamin Davis equalised with his powerful long-range strike deflecting off goalkeeper Nguyen Van Toan and settling in the back of the net.

Van Toan was injured while trying to save the Davis attempt and was replaced by Quan Van Chuan shortly later.

Inspired by the equaliser, Thailand intensified their attacks in the closing minutes of the opening half with Achitpol Keereerom and Ekanit Panya taking shots from distance, but both teams went level into the break.

Vietnam and Thailand settle for a point each in their Group C opener of the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2022.

After halftime, goalkeeper Quan Van Chuan made several brilliant saves before Nguyen Van Tung restored Vietnam’s advantage in the 73rd minute. Phan Tuan Tai provided a lob to the edge of the box, with substitute Van Tung’s superb volley sailing into the bottom left corner of the net.

As it would seem to be a 2-1 victory for Gong Oh-kyun’s side, Suphanat headed home Korawich Tasa’s cross in the second minute of added time to salvage a draw for Thailand.

Thailand will play Malaysia on Sunday, with Vietnam facing defending champions Republic of Korea Republic in the day’s earlier match.

SEA Games 31: Vietnam U23s play out goalless draw against the Philippines

Vietnam U23s wasted the chance to snatch Group A’s top spot from the Philippines as the two teams played out a goalless draw in their second match within the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games men’s football event on the evening of May 8.

SEA Games 31: Vietnam U23s demonstrate power with 3-0 rout of Indonesia U23s

Vietnam U23s proved themselves as the favourites for the title by convincingly defeating Indonesia U23s 2-0 in the Group A campaign of the SEA Games 31 men’s football event at Viet Tri Stadium in the northern province of Phu Tho on May 6 evening.

SEA Games 31: Vietnam names 20 players of men’s U23 football squad

Head coach Park Hang-seo on May 4 named a final squad of 20 players for the upcoming 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31).

U23 team to have two friendly matches with U20 RoK before SEA Games 31

Vietnam’s U23 team will have two friendly matches with the U20 team of the Republic of Korea (RoK) before the start of the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31), according to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF).

Vietnam’s U23 team to face Iraq, Croatia at 2022 Dubai Cup

Vietnam’s U23 team is to play Iraq and Croatia at the 2022 Dubai Cup, which is a friendly tournament scheduled to take place later this March in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Source: NDO