Vietnam’s national team thrashed Kuwait’s U23 side 3-0 in the opener of the Thang Long-Hanoi 1000th Anniversary Football Cup at the My Dinh Stadium on Monday.
Relieved of pressure by coach Calisto’s decision not to aim for victory, the Vietnamese players played superbly for an impressive victory.
Playing fast football, the home team launched relentless attacks, putting constant pressure on the Middle Eastern visitors.
However, Vietnam could only score one goal before half time, Viet Thang making no mistake from the penalty spot.
Calisto made two substitutions after the break, and Vietnam continued to control the match. Midway through the second half, skipper Minh Phuong’s powerful shot doubled the score and Trong Hoang came off the bench later to make it 3-0 for the home team, pouncing on a rebound from a Viet Cuong shot at the goal.
In other action, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea didn’t play as well as expected, but beat Australia’s U23 squad by a solitary goal, Pak Nam Chol scoring from the penalty spot.
