Asian Games women’s football: Vietnam defeats Thailand 2-1, advances to semis

Vietnam’s women’s footballers celebrates a win against Thailand at the 17th Asian Games. Photo: Ngo Nguyen

Vietnam’s women’s football team defeated Thailand 2-1 to earn a slot in the semifinals at the Asian Games in South Korea on Friday.

The men’s team was knocked out of the game after losing 1-2 to the United Arab Emirates.

In the women’s match, both Vietnam and Thailand played cautiously in the first half, particularly after it started raining in the 25th minute.

Five minutes into second half, Thailand took a lead after Romyen raced past several defenders and got one over on Vietnam’s goalkeeper Kieu Trinh.

Minh Nguyen leveled the score just two minutes later with a left-footed shot from outside the box.

Vietnam missed an opportunity to score with a penalty kick in the 62th minute when Tuyet Dung’s shot was blocked by Waraporn.

However, Tuyet Dung scored a goal in the 67th minute for the win.

Meanwhile, North Korea defeated China 1-0 to enter the semifinals.

Vietnam will play the winner of a match between Japan and Hong Kong, while North Korea will play the winner of a match between South Korea and Taiwan.

In the men’s competition, both Vietnam and UAE played aggressively from the starting whistle at Hwangseong Stadium.

Vu Minh Tuan had a chance in the 7th minute after getting a long pass, but shot wide on UAE Goalkeeper Albalooshi.

UAE took the lead in the 21st minute after Alkatheeri slipped past several Vietnamese defenders and picked up a long pass.

At the 61st minute, Saeed Almenhali scored a second goal for UAE.

Just three minutes later, UAE defender Alyassi got a red card after striking Mac Hong Quan and Hoang Thinh was faulted for fouling Salim Rashid.

Vietnam took a number of shots on goal, putting pressure on Albalooshi, but it wasn’t until the 87th minute that Huy Hung scored taking the score to 1-2.

During extra time, Saeed Almenhali scored his second goal of the match. By defeating Vietnam 3-1, UAE secured a slot in the quarterfinals.

Vietnam has played UAE five times and only won once–during a match at Hanoi’s My Dinh Stadium during the 2007 Asian Cup.

Asian Games women’s football: Vietnam defeats Thailand 2-1, advances to semis Related image(s)