Vietnam defeated Malaysia 2-1 on Monday evening, securing their place in the semifinals of the 2023 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games men’s football event with one match remaining. The result marks a significant milestone for the Vietnamese squad, as they look to build on their success in the tournament. It was an exciting match-up between the two teams, with Vietnam taking the lead early on and never relinquishing it. Malaysia fought hard throughout, but were unable to find the equalizer and eventually fell to their opponents. With the win, Vietnam now have one foot in the semifinals and will be looking to cement their place with another victory in their final group stage match.
The Group B match at Prince Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia ended in dramatic fashion when Malaysia were left with only nine players on the field after two of their players were given red cards. The result of the match was quickly decided, leaving the spectators in awe of the unexpected turn of events. Although Malaysia had put up a valiant effort, the red cards ultimately cost them the game. The crowd was left stunned at the sudden conclusion of the match, and it was clear that the outcome would have been different had the players not been sent off.
The referee awarded Vietnam a penalty when a Malaysia defender committed a handball inside the box.
Although Nguyen Van Tung’s initial penalty kick was saved by the goalkeeper Sikh Izhan, he was still able to score on his second attempt, providing the opener for Vietnam and setting the tone for the match.
Following their concession, Malaysia were determined to find an equalizer but ultimately saw Van Tung complete his double and fourth goal at the 2023 SEA Games by heading in a cross from Vo Minh Trong on the left flank in the 32nd minute.
Muhammad Aliff capitalized on the Vietnamese goalkeeper Quan Van Chuan’s inability to cleanly catch the ball during a free kick and scored a goal in the 42nd minute, reducing Malaysia’s deficit.
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Nguyen Van Tung Scores Second Goal in Southeast Asian Games Vietnamese player Nguyen Van Tung celebrated his second goal against Malaysia in men’s football at the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia on May 8, 2023. The decisive strike by Tung gave Vietnam a much-needed victory over their opponents in the tournament. The goal was captured in the photo above, taken by N.K of Tuoi Tre. Tung’s goal came at a crucial moment in the match, as Vietnam had been struggling to break through Malaysia’s defense. His strike was met with a huge roar of approval from the crowd, showing just how important the goal was. It was his second goal of the tournament, having scored an equalizer against Thailand in their opening match. The goal was a testament to Tung’s skill and tenacity. He is widely regarded as one of the best players in Southeast Asia, and his performance in the tournament has only further cemented his reputation. With his two goals, he helped Vietnam to a successful fourth-place finish in the tournament. The victory was a huge boost for the Vietnamese team, and it was all thanks to Nguyen Van Tung’s excellent performance. His two goals helped them to secure a place in the top four, and it is a memory that will be cherished by all Vietnamese fans. |
| Vietnamese player Nguyen Van Tung celebrates his goal against Malaysia in men’s football at the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia, May 8, 2023. Photo: N.K. / Tuoi Tre |
After the break, Vietnam allowed their Most Valuable Player (MVP), Van Tung, to leave the field early and bolstered their defense.
While Malaysia were striving to take advantage of their physical strength and endurance to bring the game back to square one, they committed grievous errors.
Shortly after substitute Muhammad Safwan was shown a straight red card for violent play on Nguyen Thanh Nhan, Malaysia got a second red card as Najmudin Akmal was issued the second yellow card for fouling Thanh Nhan in the 82nd minute.
The remaining players were unable to create a positive impact for Malaysia.
The 2-1 victory secured Vietnam’s place in the semifinals, even with one more game against Thailand left to play on Thursday.
The other teams in Group B — Malaysia, Laos, and Singapore — were all eliminated.
In Group A, Indonesia have achieved a perfect three wins, securing them a place in the semifinals. Meanwhile, hosts Cambodia and Myanmar are still vying for the final ticket, with Timor-Leste and the Philippines having been eliminated from the competition.
The 2023 Southeast Asian Games is currently taking place in Cambodia’s Phnom Penh, Siem Reap Province, Preah Sihanouk Province, Kampot Province, and Kep Province until May 17th. This event has attracted the attention of countless sports enthusiasts around the world, who are eagerly awaiting the results of the various competitions. As the host nation, Cambodia is proud to be putting on this event, which will feature a wide range of sports, including track and field, swimming, and basketball. Furthermore, the Games have also put a spotlight on Cambodian culture and heritage, as the country has prepared to welcome guests from all over the world. It is sure to be an exciting time for all involved, and we wish all the best to the athletes competing in this year’s Southeast Asian Games!
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