Vietnam eliminated early from U19 Southeast Asian tournament

Vietnam drew 1-1 with Myanmar in the opening match, then lost 2-6 to Australia, losing all chance of topping Group B and getting a ticket to the semi-finals. Coach Hua Hien Vinh and his team only have a slim hope of advancing as the second team with the best record in the three groups.

However, the team no longer has the right to decide, they must defeat Laos in the final match, while waiting for Australia not to lose to Myanmar and the second-place teams in groups A and C to have no more than 4 points.

However, Vietnam's hopes were dashed on July 22, just one day after a heavy defeat to Australia. In the second match of Group C, Thailand defeated Brunei 6-0. Combined with the 2-1 victory over Singapore earlier, the team from the Golden Temple has 6 points.

In the match that took place four and a half hours later, Malaysia also took all three points when they beat Singapore 5-0. They had to concede a penalty but the goalkeeper saved it brilliantly, while the attack continuously bombarded the opponent's goal and scored five goals from a series of created opportunities. Combined with the 11-0 victory over Brunei, Malaysia climbed to the top of Group C with 6 points but ahead of Thailand on goal difference (16 compared to 7).

In the final round of the group stage, Malaysia and Thailand met. Whoever lost still had a great chance of advancing because the second team in Group A, Timor Leste, had only 3 points and a goal difference of -1, while the second team in Group B, Myanmar, had only 2 points and had to face the championship candidate Australia in the final match.

For Vietnam, the match with Laos is just a formality. Even if they get second place in the group, the team cannot continue. After the tournament, the team will return home to prepare for the next tournament in May at home, the U20 Asian qualifiers.