Nhan Dan Online - Vietnam’s U-19 men’s football team was held to a 2-2 draw by U-19 Myanmar in their second Group F game at the 2012 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-19 Championship qualifiers in Ho Chi Minh City yesterday.
Vietnam started the match determined to earn their first win of the tournament after their goalless draw against Malaysia in the opening match three days ago.
Striker Thanh Hien gave Vietnam an early lead with his opener from the penalty spot just two minutes after the first whistle, but three minutes later Myanmar captain Naing Lin Oo equalised the score with a successful penalty kick and put Myanmar out in front 2-1 with another goal, also from a penalty kick, in the 15th minute.
No more goals were scored in the remainder of the first half, despite concerted efforts by both sides.
After the break, the hosts intensified their attacks aiming to tie up the score, but it was not until the 82nd minute that striker Thanh Hien completed his double with a second goal from the spot, earning Vietnam their precious equalising point.
In another game the same day, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea easily beat Laos 2-0 to secure the top position in Group F with six points after two definitive wins. Vietnam, with two points, is temporarily in third place behind Malaysia in the standings.
U-19 Vietnam will play U-19 Laos at Thong Nhat Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City tomorrow and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will take on U-19 Myanmar.