Vu Phong (red, 17) between two Lao players. (Photo: AFF)

Nhan Dan Online- Vietnam thrashed Laos  4-0  in their final match of Group B at the Surakul stadium tonight, confirming the place in the semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup while Thaland crushed Malaysia 3-0, topping the group.

Vietnam coach Calisto made six changes in the starting line-up to play against Laos. Right after the start, Vietnam dominated the game, producing attack after attack.Thach Bao Khanh header hit the crossbar in the 11th minute before Cong Vinh’s strike was blocked by Laos goalkeeper. In the 41st minute Thach Bao Khanh’s powerfull shot was punched by the keeper. Meanwhile Laos played a defensive-backfired game and had some contra-attacks.Their two excellent shots from the free-kicks in the 12th and 36th minutes were saved by goalkeeper Hong Son. Vietnam managed to break through on several  occassions but could not get on the mark. Laos defence  played extremely well in the first half.

Two minutes into the second half Viet Thang, who substituted Cong Vinh, opened the scoring with wonderfull  close-range shot from Vu Phong’s pass. From this moment Vietnam created a lot of chances to score. In the 62nd minute  substitute Thanh Luong doubled the score before Quang Thanh widened the gap by the header three minute later. In the 80th minute,  Vietnam nailed their fourth goal when Thanh Binh grabbed a chance to slot the ball into the net.

In the last minutes of the second period, Laos tried to score the consolation goal but their efforts were in vain.

Earlier in an exciting match, Thailand thumped Malaysia 3-0, topping the group. Vietnam conceded a 2-0 loss to Thailand in the first game, bounced back in their second and final matches when they beat Malaysia 3-2 on December 8 and Laos 4-0 tonight, rank second. As a result, Vietnam will play against Group A leaders Singapore and Thailand will face Indonesia in the semi-finals.

Standings:

Duy Thinh