Vietnam lost 1-0 to Syria in their group D

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam lost 1-0 to Syria in their group D first leg
game on Nov. 14, severely damaging their chances of qualifying for the final
round of the Asian Cup.

Playing on home turf and with the support of the fans behind them, Vietnam
attacked from the opening whistle.

The first chance fell to the hosts in the 14 th minute, Tan Tai overcame the
challenges of the visitor’s defenders to pass the ball to captain Minh Phuong
who hit the post with only the keeper to beat.

After a slow start, Syria started to get into the game but it remained
goalless at halftime.

After the break, both sites went looking for the three points.
In the 49 th minute, Vietnam ’s Duy Quang sent a header goalwards but Syria
’s goal-keeper Balhous did brilliantly to push the ball over the bar.

In the 80 th minute, Vietnam missed another chance when returning striker Le Cong
Vinh, of Portugal ’s Leixoes, failed to capitalise on a glorious opportunity.

In the final of the ASEAN Football Championship against Thailand last December,
Vinh scored in the dying seconds to take Vietnam to victory after a 49-year
wait.
The match was determined in injury time when Syria striker Rafe buried a free
header in the 94 th minute to score the only goal of the game.
Syria are currently top of the group with nine points after three wins over
China , Lebanon and Vietnam . Meanwhile, coach Henrique Calisto’s team,
who crushed Lebanon 3-1 in Hanoi but were thrashed 6-1 by China in
Hangzhou , have three points.

“Having lost to Syria , Vietnam ’s chances of qualifying for the final
round of the Asian Cup are very low. So I will create chances for the U-23s to
gain more experience in the next matches,” said coach Calisto.

Vietnam will play their last games of the Asian Cup qualifiers with Lebanon away
on January 6 and at home to China on March 3.-Enditem