Indonesia hold hosts Vietnam to 2-2 draw in AFF Suzuki Cup opener

November 24, 2014 | 10:43
(0) user say
Hosts Vietnam were held to a 2-2 draw against Indonesia on Saturday in their opening Group A match at the 2014 Southeast Asian Football Championship, or AFF Suzuki Cup, in Hanoi.

The Vietnamese opened the scoring in the 11th minute following a corner kick. Midfielder Thanh Luong made a curve to hang the ball in front of the Indonesian goal frame and midfielder Serginho van Dijk wrongly sent the ball to Vietnamese defender Ngoc Hai, who did not miss the chance to convert it.

In the 33rd minute, Vietnamese defender Tien Thanh missed his header, letting the loose ball come to Zamrun, who made a diving cross to beat keeper Nguyen Manh and level the score.

Substitute Le Cong Vinh, who replaced Hai Anh in the 55th minute, had a one-two with striker Van Quyet before lifting the score to 2-1 for Vietnam in the 69th minute.

Again, the visiting team Indonesia leveled it 2-2 following an attack in the 83rd minute. Samsul dribbled the ball into the Vietnamese box and blasted a shot, sending the ball going between the legs of Vietnamese goalie Nguyen Manh into the net.

In the other game of Group A today, the Philippines came from behind to beat Laos 4-1.

On November 25, Vietnam will take on Laos while the Philippines face Indonesia. The hosts will next encounter the Filipinos on November 28.

The 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup is co-hosted by Vietnam and Singapore from November 22 to December 20.

Games of Group A that includes Laos, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam are staged in Hanoi.

Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, and hosts Singapore are placed in Group B.

The semifinal and final games of the tournament will be played on a home and away basis from December 6 to 20.

Tuoitrenews

What the stars mean:

★ Poor ★ ★ Promising ★★★ Good ★★★★ Very good ★★★★★ Exceptional