South Korea upset gives Vietnam third win in a row

Underdogs Vietnam continued their winning streak by shutting out South Korea 1-0 in the qualifying round of the 2010 Asian U19 Football Championship in Bangkok

It was the third consecutive win for the Vietnamese teenagers after trouncing Laos 4-1 in the opener Sunday and taking a 1-0 victory over Bangladesh Tuesday.

Vietnam played with confidence and in high spirits through the match.

Their tireless efforts were rewarded with a 86th minute goal by Minh Tuan, who took a pass from striker Dinh Bao and circumvented two South Korean defenders before scoring from outside the penalty area.

Speaking to Thanh Nien on the phone after the match, Coach Trieu Quang Ha said, “We are very happy. Our players gave us a big surprise.

Ha said he had never thought his team would beat the stronger Korean team.

“Before the match, we told the players that in football and in life, each of us must have a goal and a dream that we must work for it.

He said he hoped his encouraging words had helped the team.

“The Koreans had many strengths, but we had our own strengths.”

Vietnam will clash with hosts Thailand on Sunday before playing Macau on the final day of the event next Wednesday (November 11.)

The Vietnamese need only to draw with Thailand to book a berth in the 2010 Asian U19 Football Championship.

VietNamNet/Thanh Nien