Football Tribe SEA Editor
Thailand and Vietnam played out their second goalless draw of the World Cup qualifying campaign, keeping things tight at the top. Elsewhere, two wins from two for Malaysia means that the Tigers have broken into the top three, above the War Elephants heading into the new year.
At the My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam tore out of the gates with their characteristic pressing approach and quickly used that intensity to earn a numerical advantage in many crucial areas across the pitch. Thailand struggled to play out from the back, and when they did manage to beat the high press, they were expectedly faced with a wall of disciplined Vietnamese defenders.
However, the War Elephants’ build-up play was greatly aided by left-back Theerathon Bunmathan, who missed the Malaysia game through suspension. The Yokohama F. Marinos star helped break the lines and advance play forward, but even then Vietnam’s defense stood firm.
The visitors were given a golden opportunity against the run of play when the referee awarded a penalty for a tussle in the penalty area. Theerathon stepped up to the plate, having previously netted against Indonesia, but was unable to repeat the feat as Vietnamese goalkeeper Dang Van Lam managed to parry the ball away with his legs.
However, it Vietnam’s turn to curse their luck just a few minutes later when what looked like a perfectly legitimate goal from Tien Dung was disallowed by the referee for a foul on goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan. Fans of both teams were left bemused by the decision, but play continued with both sides level.
The intensity dropped in the second half, and Vietnam suffered yet another setback when they had a second goal disallowed for offside just minutes after the restart.
Thailand continued to assert themselves as the game progressed. As the clock ticked towards the final ten minutes, midfielder Sarach Yooyen came close to beating his Muangthong clubmate Van Lam from range, before Ekanit Panya could only muster an air-shot while staring down the mouth of an open goal.
The game drew to a close with a whimper, with the final whistle coming at a disappointing time for the resurgent War Elephants. The result helps Vietnam keep their place atop the group standings, but it prevents the Golden Dragons from pulling away as clear leaders.
Elsewhere, Safawi Rasid inspired Malaysia to a win crucial win over neighbors Indonesia. The JDT winger opened the scoring in the first half with a trademark free-kick, before doubling his side’s advantage in the 73rd minute with a powerful shot from a tight angle.
Vietnam will sit out the next set of games when qualifying resumes in March, while Thailand host Indonesia and Malaysia will hope to maintain their good form with a daunting trip to the UAE.