Vietnam defeated Australia 2-0 in its first match of the 2019 AFF Futsal Championship in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday.

The hosts dominated the match from first whistle, but it was not until the second half that they could convert chances into goals.

Missed opportunities included Chau Doan Phat’s header, which hit the crossbar, and Nguyen Minh Tri’s close-range shot, which was stopped by Australian goalkeeper Gavin O’Brien.

The teams drew 0-0 at half-time.

Eight minutes into the second half, Vietnam’s Nguyen Manh Dung received the ball from a free-kick and opened the scoring with a long-distance shot.

The Australians raised the tempo after that, but failed to penetrate the Vietnamese defense.

Tri doubled the score difference by converting a penalty in the 37th minute.

It was the first time that Vietnam have overcome Australia in an official futsal tournament, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

In the other match of Group B, Indonesia beat Malaysia 3-2 earlier on the same day.

Vietnam are now placed first in Group B with three points and a goal difference of +2, followed by Indonesia, Malaysia, and Australia.

Vietnamese fans cheer for their team during a match against Australia in the 2019 AFF Futsal Championship in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, October 21, 2019. Photo: N.K. / Tuoi Tre

Vietnam will play Indonesia in the next match, scheduled to take place on Tuesday at 4:30 pm.

In Group A, Thailand cruised past Cambodia with a 12-0 win while Myanmar triumphed 6-1 over East Timor in matches that took place on Monday.

The 2019 AFF Futsal Championship, held in Ho Chi Minh City, is the 16th edition of the tournament, which also serves as AFC Futsal Championship qualification.

All matches are played at the Phu Tho Indoor Stadium in District 11.

Vietnamese players celebrate after scoring a goal against Australia in the opener of the 2019 AFF Futsal Championship in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, October 21, 2019. Photo: N.K. / Tuoi Tre

The top three teams of this year’s tournament will qualify for the 2020 AFC Futsal Championship in Turkmenistan as representatives of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF).

Thailand have won the regional tournament 13 times in 15 editions, while Indonesia and Australia have won one each.

Vietnam’s best result in the AFF Futsal Championship is two second-placed finishes, in 2009 and 2012.

Vietnamese and Australian players vie for possession during their teams' opening match of the 2019 AFF Futsal Championship in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Photo: N.K. / Tuoi Tre

Vietnamese and Australian players vie for possession during their teams' opening match of the 2019 AFF Futsal Championship in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Photo: N.K. / Tuoi Tre

Vietnamese and Australian players vie for possession during their teams' opening match of the 2019 AFF Futsal Championship in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Photo: N.K. / Tuoi Tre

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