Vietnam Stumble Against Russia in Thrilling LPBank Cup 2024 Opener

Vietnam suffered a 0-3 defeat to the heavily favored Russian team in the inaugural match of the LPBank Cup 2024 International Friendly Tournament. The game, which took place at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi on Thursday evening, saw a dominant performance by the Russians as they outplayed their Vietnamese counterparts.

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19 September, 2024

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There was little doubt about the outcome of Vietnam’s match against Russia, with the latter’s superior skill and experience ensuring a decisive victory.

While Russia’s dominance on the pitch was evident, Vietnam’s performance was also hampered by experimental squad selections and tactical decisions by new coach Kim Sang Sik.

Coach Kim’s decision to field less experienced players, such as positioning Nguyen Hoang Duc as a striker, mirrored a previous unsuccessful attempt by former coach Philippe Troussier.

The team’s lack of cohesion was further exacerbated by the unusual positioning of key players. Dinh Thanh Binh, for instance, was moved to the wing, while Nguyen Van Truong, who struggles in physical confrontations, was deployed in midfield alongside Do Hung Dung.

Vietnam’s attack struggled as a result of this experimental lineup, and they were unable to find their rhythm. The lack of match practice due to the off-season of the V. League 1 also likely contributed to their sluggish performance.

Vietnamese and Russian players battle for possession during their friendly encounter at My Dinh Stadium, with the visitors ultimately proving too strong. Image Source: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

The Vietnamese tendency to opt for long balls when under pressure did little to sway the game in their favor.

Despite unfavorable weather and pitch conditions, Russia displayed their prowess with a relentless display of attacking football, constantly pressing and controlling the match.

The quality gap was highlighted in the 24th minute when Daler Adyamovich Kuzyayev headed home a beautifully taken goal.

In the second half, Vietnam made a few changes, introducing the likes of Nguyen Tuan Anh, Pham Tuan Hai, and Nguyen Quang Hai. Although their play improved marginally, they still lacked the cutting edge required to find the back of the net.

Russia, meanwhile, remained relentless and added two more goals to their tally. The third goal, a stylish finish by Tamerlan Musaev, put the result beyond doubt, sealing a comprehensive 3-0 win.

An earlier mistake by goalkeeper Dang Van Lam, who miscontrolled a back pass from Vu Van Thanh, had already given Russia a 2-0 advantage.

The loss to a stronger opponent was not unexpected, and for Coach Kim’s squad, it served as a lesson in what not to do in future encounters.

Vietnam will now look to bounce back when they face Thailand in their next LPBank Cup match on September 10, hoping to showcase their true potential against similarly ranked opposition.