Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Vietnam remain firmly on course, Indonesia continue to impress while champions Thailand struggled before sealing three points in Kuala Lumpur 2017 Sea Games Group B action on Thursday.
Vietnam, who started their bid for a first SEA Games gold since 1959 with a 4-0 win over Timor-Leste on August 15, were quick to seize control of proceedings against Cambodia and were rewarded with a 4-1 win at the Shah Alam Stadium.
Vietnam were superior in every aspect and had they been sharper in front of goal, the three points would have been sealed in the first half, as they had done against Timor-Leste where they took a 3-0 lead into the break.
Instead, they had to wait till first half stoppage time before finding the net and it was a well worked goal with some neat passing involving Luong Xuan and Van Toan, who split the Cambodia defence open for Cong Phuang (pictured above) - who had scored once against Timor-Leste - to slot home.
Vietnam continued to maintain control in the second half, with Cambodia - beaten 0-2 by the Philippines in their opener - struggling to stamp their mark and they were soon made to pay the price.
Vietnam's second goal was cheaply given away as Quang Hai's free-kick from the right not only beat a poor wall but was allowed to bounce twice before finding the back of the net in the 70th minute.
Five minutes later, a poorly defended free-kick again gave Vietnam their third goal, with Cong Phuang finding the target from just over 20 yards out.
Vietnam were not finished, adding a fourth just a minute later, as Ho Tuan Tai slotted home from a counter-attack.
Cambodia pulled one back in the 83rd minute through a penalty converted by Nen Sothearoth but it was Vietnam who walked tall at the final whistle, as their bid for SEA Games gold continues on a perfect note.
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