Vietnam’s U19 squad drew 2-2 with Laos’ U23s after failing to hold on to a 2-0 lead at the Pre-SEA Games tournament in Vientiane on Friday.
Ngo Hoang Thinh’s 13th minute goal took the lead early and Ha Minh Tuan’s 50th minute goal provided what should have been insurance for Vietnam’s U19 team.
But the Vietnamese side looked exhausted as the second half drew to an end and they lost control of the match. Laos took the chance and pulled one back with a goal by Kaysone Soukhavong in the 68th minute.
Vietnam still had the upper hand until a Vietnamese defender tackled a Lao player in the penalty area and Sangvone scored the equalizer from the penalty spot seven minutes from full time.
Earlier that day, Malaysia’s U19 squad and Thai U19s had also tied at the same score.
U23 squads from Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Laos had originally signed up for the October 2-6 Pre-SEA (South East Asian) Games in Laos.
But Thailand decided to send its U19 players just a couple days before the competition started, prompting Vietnam and Malaysia to do the same.
In preparations for the 2009 SEA Games Laos, the Lao Football Federation, Lao National Television, and Crossfire Co. Ltd, are proud to announce the 2009 4-Nations Football Tournament. The national teams from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Laos are playing an AFC sanctioned tournament, to promote the SEA Games theme of Generosity, Amity, and a Healthy Lifestyle in live television broadcasts throughout the pan-Asian region.
Final score Laos 2: Vietnam 2
