SEA Games 31 men’s football: Vietnam, Thais reach final

SEA Games defending champions Vietnam will take on Thailand in the games’ final on Sunday after their laboring 1-0 victory over Malaysia Thursday night.

Phu Tho province's Viet Tri Stadium was flooded with Vietnamese fans in red who came to spiritually support holders Vietnam. However, Malaysia’s well-organized defense system disappointed the fans and coach Park Hang-seo’s side in both halves.

With no goal scored in the 90 minutes, the “Golden Stars” and the “Malay Tigers” had to play extra 30 minutes.

In the 110th minute, captain Do Hung Dung delivered to striker Nguyen Tien Linh a free-kick inside the box, and the forward’s header beautifully found the Malaysian net.

The Malaysian side sought to play much higher after the goal, leaving more chances for the all-red Vietnamese side, but no more goal was scored until the final whistle.

In Thursday's first semi-final, Thailand defeated Indonesia 1-0 at Thien Truong Stadium in Nam Dinh province. Weerathep Pomphan was the hero for coach Mano Polking’s side as the midfielder scored the single goal a few minutes in the first extra half as both teams had no goal before that.

Notably, Indonesia got up to three red cards while the Thais took one.

The final and the third-place match (Indonesia vs. Malaysia) will take place on Sunday at Hanoi’s My Dinh National Stadium.

The men's football tournament at the SEA Games is for U23 players.