JavaScript is off. Please enable to view full site.

Vietnam earn first World Cup point at FIFA U-20 opener

Vietnam earn first World Cup point at FIFA U-20 opener

Tuesday, May 23, 2017, 10:27 GMT+7

Vietnam have earned their first-ever FIFA tournament point via Monday night’s 0-0 draw in their Group E opener with New Zealand at the U-20 World Cup.

The tournament first-timers appeared to handle the pressure well, producing an energetic performance from the outset.

Rather than play defensively as anticipated, the Vietnamese launched repeated attacks and actually dominated the first half, earning seven corner kicks and getting four shots on target.

Vietnam’s strikers kept Kiwi keeper Michael Woud and his defence on their toes, and might have settled the game in the first half had they not spurned all four chances to convert.

After the break the tide turned however, as Vietnam’s high energy game took its toll, allowing New Zealand to dominate space and possession.

This brought Vietnam’s goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung into the game, who had an outstanding night to keep a clean sheet and earn Vietnam a goalless draw in the first-ever World Cup game.

“My players overcame all the pressure and played a fantastic game,” Vietnam’s coach Hoang Anh Tuan said at the post-match press conference.

New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley admitted that Vietnam were much stronger than them in the first half.

In the other Group E opener on Monday, France easily accounted for Honduras 3-0.

Vietnam’s next group game is against France at 3:00 pm this Thursday (May 25).

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

TUOI TRE NEWS

More

Read more

;

Photos

VIDEOS

‘Taste of Australia’ gala dinner held in Ho Chi Minh City after 2-year hiatus

Taste of Australia Gala Reception has returned to the Park Hyatt Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City's District 1 after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Vietnamese woman gives unconditional love to hundreds of adopted children

Despite her own immense hardship, she has taken in and cared for hundreds of orphans over the past three decades.

Vietnam’s Mekong Delta celebrates spring with ‘hat boi’ performances

The art form is so popular that it attracts people from all ages in the Mekong Delta

Vietnamese youngster travels back in time with clay miniatures

Each work is a scene caught by Dung and kept in his memories through his journeys across Vietnam

Latest news