It was a lively affair in the first half with both sides showing their attacking intent, Bounphachan Bounkong looked to bend an effort past Dang Van Lam as early as the third minute but the Vietnam keeper was equal to the effort.

Nguyen Tien Linh was the main dangerman for Vietnam with the forward striking a fierce shot from distance which Anoulak Vilaphonh saved before quick passing opened up the space for the Ho Chi Minh City FC player in the 31st minute but he blazed his shot high over the bar.

The visitors went close again five minutes later when a deflected pass fell kindly into the path of Nguyen Hoang Duc in the box but the midfielder’s strike at the near post was matched by Vilaphonh’s anticipation to push the ball away.

Xuan Son was one of three changes Kim Sang-sik made at the start of the second half to spruce up the attack with the star striker at the heart of everything going forward for Vietnam.

Hoang Duc fizzed a pass to Xuan Son who laid the ball for Pham on the hour mark with the latter effort smacking the crossbar and that was a prelude of what was to come from the boosted Vietnam attack.

Pham’s surging run into the box earned Vietnam a penalty after his cross was blocked by Phetdavanh Somsanid with his hands, with Xuan Son dispatching his spot-kick home in the 68th minute with ease.

Laos tried to fight back but ended up conceding a second in stoppage time to an acrobatic Pham strike.