Olympic Vietnam lift the Millennium Cup. Photo : VFF
Nhan Dan Online- Olympic Vietnam lifted the Thang Long-Hanoi Millennium - Eximbank Cup after convincingly beating Olympic Iran 2-0 in a very interesting and fierce game at Thong Nhat stadium on Saturday.
As Olympic Singapore were held to a goalless draw by Olympic Malaysia in the previous match, Iran (four points with better goal difference) needed only a draw with Vietnam to win the title while Vietnam needed a victory over Iran to be crowned champions.
Iran started the game at fast pace, producing first attacks on Vietnam. Then it was Vietnam’s turn to attack. In the 36th minute, Thanh Trung’s powerful strike was blocked by Iranian defender. In the 42nd Thanh Trung’s shot was saved by goalkeeper Bagher.
With seconds remaining to the break, Vietnam finally went ahead when Anh Duc met a corner cross from Duc Thien and powered his downward header into the net.
Vietnamese Olympic team enjoy a victory. Photo: vnn
Two minutes into the second half, striker Anh Duc was sent off as he got a second yellow card.
From this moment, Iran put pressure on Vietnam, producing attack after attack, but goalkeeper Tan Truong played well, blocking all their long and high balls swung on the box.
In the 75th minute, the visitors should have equalise but the striker’s shot hit the post. Two minutes later, Dinh Tung who came off the bench doubled the score when he broke Iran’s offside trap and clipped past keeper Bagher.
After the second goal, Iran intensified their attacks, but Tan Truong and defenders played excellently, giving them no chance to narrow the gap.
In the 89th minute, the second yellow card sent off one Iranian player.
In injury time, Thai Duong had a real chance to widen the gap but his strike was wide of the left post.
Crushing Iran 2-0 in ‘the final’ of the friendly tournament, Vietnam won the Cup to mark the Thang Long-Hanoi 1,000th anniversary.
After the match, coach Phan Thanh Hung said the victory will encourage the young footballers to play well at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China next month.
“ I’m satisfied with the players’ fighting spirit, especially that of the new players who made a considerable contribution to our victory”, he stressed.
Thang Long - Hanoi Millennium Cup
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TEAMS
P
W
D
L
F
A
Pt
1
Olympic Vietnam
3
2
1
0
4
1
7
2
Olympic Iran
3
1
1
1
3
3
4
3
Olympic Singapore
3
0
3
0
1
1
3
4
Olympic Malaysia
3
0
1
2
1
4
1
By Duy Thinh