Vietnam, Thailand secure first triumph at AFC U-23 Championship qualifiers

HANOI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- U-23 football teams of VIETNAM and Thailand had lopsided victories in their first matches of the qualifiers for the 2020 AFC (Asian Football Confederation) U-23 Championship on Friday in VIETNAM's capital Hanoi.

VIETNAM steamrolled underdogs Brunei 6-0, including three scored in the first half in their Group K match at My Dinh National Stadium with the presence of some 10,000 fans.

Ten minutes into the game, VIETNAMese striker Duc Chinh opened the score by a quick header within the goal box. Fourteen minutes later, midfielder Thanh Chung extended the lead to 2-0 with a low powerful shot.

In the last minute of the first half, striker Thanh Binh delivered a blitz volley, defeating the Brunei goalie who, along with his teammates, struggled to block four passes and shots by VIETNAMese players just seconds before.

Fifteen minutes after the break, VIETNAMese midfield Viet Hung found the back of the net after latching onto a pass from prominent striker Quang Hai. In the 77th minute of the match, a Brunei player received a red card after committing a foul to Quang Hai in the penalty area, and midfielder Tan Sinh succeeded in delivering a penalty shot one minute later.

In the last minute of the match, a Brunei player committed a foul in the penalty area, and Quang Hai successfully converted the penalty kick one minute later, fixing the final score of 6-0 for VIETNAM.

Before the game between VIETNAM and Brunei, Thailand whitewashed Indonesia 4-0, including three scored after the break.

Possessing the ball over 70 percent during the match, Thai captain Shinnaphat Leeaoh earned the first goal for his team in the 21st minute.

Five minutes after the break, Thai player Supachai Jaided successfully converted a penalty kick, and it was him that made the third goal for Thailand 21 minutes later. Just two minutes after the third goal, his teammate Supachok Sarachat fixed the score of 4-0 for Thailand.

On Sunday, VIETNAM will face Indonesia, and Thailand will clash with Brunei.

A total of 44 teams were drawn into 11 groups of four teams. Eleven teams, which top of the 11 groups, plus four teams which rank the second in the groups with best performances, will win berths to the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship finals slated for next year in Bangkok, Thailand.

Thailand decided to participate in qualification despite having automatically qualified for the final tournament. Enditem