Captain Nguyen Quang Hai of Vietnam (left) tries to pass Kiwi player Reese Cox during their U20 World Cup in the Republic of Korea on May 22 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam have made history for theSoutheast Asian region in the Republic of Korean FIFA U20 World Cup as they earnedtheir first ever point after a 0-0 draw with New Zealand in Cheonan city on May22.
Full of energy, Vietnam were clearly up for the occasion. The team maintainedthe high pace of the game and created a number of chances in the first half,which kept New Zealand on their toes.
The World Cup debutants got Kiwi keeper Michael Woud into action twice in aminute. First, they denied Doan Van Hau from a distance, before scrambling toclaw away Nguyen Quang Hai’s cheeky attempt directly from a corner.
It seemed that Cameroonian referee Sidi Alioum refused a penalty to Vietnam atthe 37th minute when Reese Cox let a ball touch his hand in the box.
After the break, Vietnam continued to be more inspired but their high-energyexploits saw batteries begin to drain and New Zealand began to find pockets ofspace higher and higher up the field. As the clock wound down, there was stilla chance for Vietnam to snatch a historic win, but Nguyen Hoang Duc blazed overas he arrived at the far post.
Captain Hai and midfielder Duc told reporters that Vietnam would definitely winif the two teams meet again in the future.
“I am proud of my team and want to say thanks to (more than 10,000) supporters.I am surprised because so many people came to encourage us. Hope they willfollow us in the next matches,” coach Hoang Anh Tuan said after the match.
On the other side, coach Darren Bazely of New Zealand said he was disappointedbut one point was a good start for his team. He said he was not surprised byhow good the Vietnamese players were as they have good technique.
Assessing the match, New Zealand’s Stuff e-newspaper wrote New Zealand havemade a disappointing start to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in the Republic of Korea,drawing 0-0 with Vietnam in their tournament opener on Monday night (Tuesday NZtime).
The result means they will likely need a win in their second match, against Hondurason May 25, if they are to repeat their historic performance from two years agoand advance to the round of 16.
Vietnam were making their tournament debut, and after a strong first half, whenthey deserved to go ahead, they faded towards the end, said the Stuff.
New Zealand's best chance for a winner came midway through the secondhalf, when Wellington Phoenix striker Logan Rogerson, after coming on as asubstitute, had a sharp shot saved.
It was one of few the New Zealanders mustered, and Vietnammissed a golden opportunity to win the game late on themselves, when Hoang Duc Nguyen couldn'tconnect with the goal at his mercy.
The two sides had near-identical numbers of shots (Vietnam 17, New Zealand 15),but the Vietnamese did get more of theirs on target (seven to three).
In the other opening match in Group E, France, tournament favourites, had a 3-0win over Honduras.
U20 Vietnam will meet their French and Honduras rivals in the two remaining matches in Group E.-VNA
VNA
