AFC U23 Asian Cup: Vietnam draw Thailand, S. Korea top Group C

Vietnam tied 2-2 with Thailand in their AFC U23 Asian Cup - Uzbekistan 2022-Group C opener on Thursday, while defending champions South Korea beat Malaysia 4-1.

Less than two weeks ago, Vietnam and Thailand met in the 31st Southeast Asian Games final in Hanoi, with the hosts edging Thailand 1-0 to clinch the gold medal.

At Bunyodkor Stadium in Tashkent on Thursday, Vietnam, or the “Golden Star Warriors” as they are often called, took the lead just 17 seconds into the match from a left-foot shot by left winger Phan Tuan Tai. The “War Elephants” under coach Worrawoot Srimaka bounced back with pressing tactics to look for an equalizer, but their rivals managed to stop.

Towards the break time, striker Benjamin Davis challenged Vietnam keeper Nguyen Van Toan with a strong shot outside the box. The ball hit the goalie and found the net, injuring his hands, and keeper Quan Van Chuan was the substitution.

Coach Gong Oh-kyun, a South Korean native who succeeded Korean coach Park Hang-seo in the U23 Vietnam team after the 31st SEA Games, put striker Nguyen Van Tung into the field during the second half. His volley in the 73rd minute fired for Vietnam the second time from a left winger Tai high ball.

However, sorrow flooded Vietnamese fans just before the final whistle as Suphanat equalized to secure one point for Thailand.

Shortly before Thailand took on Vietnam, defending champions South Korea obtained an easy 4-1 win over Malaysia. Cho Young-wook scored twice for the Koreans late in the game after two goals from Lee Sang-min and Kim Tae-hwan. Malaysia’s goal came from captain Mukhairi Ajmal in the 83rd minute.

South Korea, who won the Asian tournament for the first time in 2020, topped Group C with three points. On Sunday, they will take on Vietnam on matchday two, while Malaysia will aim to bounce back when playing Thailand.