Beating Cambodian U-21s 3-0 in the last match of group B yesterday, the Vietnamese national U-19 football team won a spot to advance to the semifinals of the Southeast Asian U-22 Football Championship, or Hassanal Bolkiah Cup, in Brunei.

Striker Ho Tuan Tai scored two goals in the first half before midfielder Phan Van Long fixed the victory at 3-0 at the 80th minute.

Despite of sustaining light ankle injury, Tai displayed his efforts and strength in the game. Receiving a past from the left flank in the 29th, Tai sped up and dribbled the ball to enter the Cambodian box before making a cross shot to send the ball into the corner of the goal frame of keeper Um Vichet.

The other goal came by the end of the first half. Having the ball in front of the Cambodian goal frame, Tai overcame the blocking of a rival defender and blasted a shot in the short distance at the helplessness of keeper Vichet.

‘I am a little bit surprised at scoring the two goals,” said Tai after the match. “It’s slightly painful at my ankle.”

French coach Gruillaume Graechen of Vietnam said, “Today my players played football with their enthusiastic hearts and a strong head to control the game.”

Vietnam top group B with ten points and a goal difference of plus seven. Malaysia and the host Brunei rank second and third respectively for worse goal difference at plus five and plus four.

So, Vietnam will take on Thailand and Malaysia will meet Myanmar in the last four round on August 20.

The tournament lasts from August 8-23.

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