Thailand defeated 10-man Viet Nam 1-0 in the opener of the 2018 World Cup second qualification round of Group F yesterday (May 24) in Bangkok.

The match between two arch-rivals in Southeast Asia lured Thai and Vietnamese fans to the 50,000-seat Rajamangala Stadium.
Viet Nam, despite a remarkable improvement recently under Japanese coach Toshyia Miura, were overshadowed by the host side, led by former national striker Kiatisuk Senamuang.
Thailand were better in both attack and defence and locked Viet Nam’s strikers out of the game while launching consecutive attempts.
Kiatisuk squad included players from some of the top clubs in Thailand, but strikers Ekkchai Samra and Teerasil Dangda a number of chances in the first half.
Ekkchai’s first threatening opportunity came in the seventh minute but his weak effort from five yards was easily dealt with.
Teerasil, who played for La Liga’s Almeria last year, also had chances, but he failed to convert any of them, and Loi and his defenders successfully neutralised Thailand’s No 1 forward.
Thailand’s domination forced Viet Nam to play on the counter-attack, but strikers Le Cong Vinh and Nguyen Hai Anh saw little of the ball, and were called back to support the defence.
Ten minutes later, Wichaya Dechmitr had a chance to test Viet Nam keeper To Vinh Loi with a close-range shot, but Loi was in the right place.
Loi was named in the starting line-up because teammate Tran Nguyen Manh was ruled out of the game with an injury he sustained just days before the team left for Thailand.
While Miura struggled with injuries to his side, the Thai coach strengthened his forward line and his decision worked effectively.
Adisak Kraison threatened after being introduced, but Loi again denied Thailand an opener.
The turning point came in the 73rd minute when Viet Nam’s Nguyen Minh Chau received a second yellow card and was sent off.
His departure left a big hole in the midfield, and substitute Pokklaw Anan finished coolly after a pass from Teerasil in the 81st minute.
The midfielder picked up the ball outside of the Viet Nam penalty area, feinted to hit with his right before unleashing a left foot drive into the far corner.
Viet Nam had their own chances but it was difficult to break through Thai defence.
Hopes are high in Thailand that their young team can top the group – also featuring Indonesia, Iraq and Chinese Taipei – and qualify for the 2019 Asian Cup and the next round of 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
The second match of the group will be between Indonesia and Chinese Taipei on June 11.
Viet Nam will meet Thailand in their second leg match in October in Ha Noi.
Yesterday’s fixture had been brought forward at both side’s request as many of the players will feature in the Southeast Asian Games in Singapore next month

Viet Nam relinquished their lead the last seconds of a friendly against Myanmar on Friday at Quang Ninh Province’s Cam Pha Stadium.

Myanmar equalised with a penalty in added time to draw 2-2 in both sides’ last test before their Southeast Asian Games campaigns begins later this month.
Nguyen Cong Phuong had more than 10,000 home fans cheering after scoring the opener for the hosts in the 23rd minute.
Phuong picked the ball up in midfield and left three Myanmar players in his wake before slotting home past goalkeeper Kyaw Zin Phyo.
Coach Nguyen Thanh Son made three changes after the interval to strengthen the midfield, but Myanmar responded strongly and nearly levelled the score in the 57th minute, only to be denied by goalie Phi Minh Long.
Long suffered a later injury and was replaced by Tran Minh Toan, who gave away a penalty to the visiting side in the 74th minute.
Toan, who was making his national team debut, failed to stop Myanmar captain Nay Lin Tun’s spot kick.
Striker Tran Phi Son was introduced to the field and gave Viet Nam a more attacking edge, resulting in a second goal from Le Thanh Binh.
Taking advantage of a mistake by Myanmar, Binh stole the ball and converted his close-range shot.

Victory seemed on the cards for Viet Nam when the clock reached the 90 minute mark, but anything is possible in football, and a second penalty was awarded to Myanmar in the added time.
Toan successfully saved striker Zon Moe Aung’s first shot but was unable to keep out the rebound.
Viet Nam U23s will leave for Singapore today and will have a week to prepare for their opening match in Group B against Brunei.
Myanmar, who are in the Group A, will face Indonesia on June 2.

Toshiya Miura has announced the list of 20 players who will represent Vietnam as the country bid to win their first ever gold medal at the SEA Games in Singapore this year.

Although the SEA Games will only start on 5 June, men’s football will begin on 29 May.

The team will be led by Mac Hong Quan of Quang Ninh Coal, who is also part of the Vietnam national team’s plans for the FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

Among the other notable players who will spearhead Vietnam’s challenge are Nguyen Cong Phuong, Nguyen Van Toan, Pham Manh Hung, Bui Tien Dung, Vo Huy Toan and also Phi Minh Long.