Vietnam’s chances of advancing to the second stage of the AFC U-19 Championship 2014 which kicked off on October 9 in Myanmar vanished after being beaten by Japan 3-1 in the second qualifying round of Group C on Saturday.

Vietnam’s midfielder Tuan Anh fights for the ball with Japan’s Kawaba Hayao during their AFC U-19 Championship 2014 football (soccer) match in Myanmar on October 11, 2014.

In the 59 minute, Okugawa Masaya opened the scoring, giving Japan a 1-0 lead. Vietnam’s Thanh Tung midfielder leveled the score 1-1 in the 89th minute.

However, Nakatani and Ideguchi from Japan scored two consecutive goals three minutes apart in the 95th and 97th minute to defeat Vietnam 3-1.

Thanks to this loss to Japan today, Vietnam was officially eliminated from the Asian U-19 cup after the Southeast Asian country suffered a humiliating 0-6 defeat two days ago against reigning champions South Korea in their opening match in Group C.

Japan also lost 2-1 to China in their opening game in Group C.

Next Monday, Japan will take on South Korea in an attempt to seek a spot in the last-eight round while Vietnam will play against China in the hope of earning their first win in the group.

Sixteen teams are placed in four groups at the AFC U-19 Championship 2014, with games played in Yangon and Naypyidaw.

South Korea are the defending champions at this competition. They beat Iraq 4-1 in a penalty shootout after drawing with them 1-1 in 120 minutes in the finale of the 2012 championship in the United Arab Emirates.

Source : TuoitreNews

 Both Vietnam and Japan need to win today to avoid an early exit after they lost their opening games two days ago in Group C of the AFC U-19 Championship 2014.

Minh Vuong (R) may replace Van Toan in the front line of the Vietnamese national U-19 football (soccer) team during their encounter with Japan on October 11, 2014 at the AFC U-19 Championship in Myanmar.

However, the chances for Vietnam to win are slimmer than those of their Japanese rivals at this Asian championship, which kicked off on October 9 and will close on October 23 in Myanmar, according to experts.

French coach Guillaume Graechen of Vietnam admitted that, “Our 0-6 loss to South Korea two days ago showed our weakness in defense, and we must improve this to have a good result in the Japan game.

“This will be a very harsh clash because both Vietnam and Japan were beaten in their opening matches.”

Japan lost 1-2 to China and South Korea hammered Vietnam 6-0 on Thursday.

It is expected that Graechen will make some changes in the midfield and attacking formation of the starting XI for the Japan match on Saturday.

During a training session yesterday, midfielder Xuan Truong was replaced by Thanh Hau, midfielder Thanh Tung took the place of Van Long, Quang Hai was substituted by midfielder Van Duc, and Minh Vuong was paired with Cong Phuong in the front line.

In a talk with the media, Japanese coach Suzuki Masakazu said briefly, “I believe Japan will defeat Vietnam to win a ticket to the quarterfinals.”

In the other Group C match today between South Korea and China, the winners will secure a spot in the last-eight round.

Vietnam have lost all three of their encounters with Japan this year: they were routed 0-7 at a friendly tournament in Ho Chi Minh City in January, and conceded 2-3 and 0-1 defeats at the AFF Nutifood U-19 Cup in Hanoi last month.

The Vietnam-Japan game will be televised on Vietnamese channel VTV6 at 4:00 pm (Vietnam time). The South Korea-China clash will start at 7:00 pm.

Sixteen teams are placed in four groups at the AFC U-19 Championship 2014, with games played in Yangon and Naypyidaw.

Source: Tuoutrenews

Vietnam suffered a humiliating 0-6 defeat on Thursday against reigning champions South Korea in their opening match in Group C at the AFC U-19 Championship 2014 in Myanmar.

Vietnam’s midfielder Tan Dung fights for the ball with a South Korean player (jumping) during their AFC U-19 Championship 2014 football (soccer) match in Myanmar on October 9, 2014.

Five of the goals were scored in the second half of the game at Wunna Theikdi Stadium in Naypyidaw.

Vietnam created a couple of chances in the first half but failed to convert them before South Korea dominated the game.

Defender Lee Jeonbin opened the scoring for South Korea in the 45th minute following a simple attack on the right flank.

The ball was crossed into the midfield area in front of the Vietnamese box before finding midfielder Kim Seungyu, who headed it back to Lee Jeonbin. The latter then rushed in to blast a shot.

Blocked by Vietnamese keeper Van Truong, the ball bounced into the body of Jeonbin and rolled into the net.

Ten minutes into the second half, South Korea doubled their advantage with a goal by midfielder Kim Gunhee.

Korean defender Park Jaewoo rose up on the right side and made a cross to Kim Gunhee near the box of Vietnam. He moved up a couple of steps before shooting to send the diving ball into the middle of the Vietnamese goal frame.

In the 60th minute, the Koreans repeated their ‘attacking screenplay’ leading to the second goal to net their third.

Midfielder Suh Myeongwon sped up on the right wing before making a cross for substitute striker Shim Jehyeok to dash in and take South Korea to a 3-0 lead by a header.

In the 66th minute, Shim Jehyeok raced from the middle of the field to face keeper Van Truong, who played foul with a tackle.

Being awarded a penalty, Hwang Heechan successfully converted it into the fourth goal for his side.

The score was lifted up to 5-0 in the 80th minute of the game after Park Seung-ho made a long shot from 20 meters to defeat goalie Van Truong.

In a last-gasp counterattack, Kim Gunhee was set up in a favorable position, dribbling the ball past many Vietnamese players, including keeper Van Truong, to seal a 6-0 victory for South Korea.

At the AFC U-19 Championship 2014 held from October 9 to 23, Vietnam are in Group C with Japan, China, and South Korea.

The Vietnamese will play Japan on Saturday and China two days later.

South Korea are the defending champions at this competition. They beat Iraq 4-1 in a penalty shootout after drawing with them 1-1 in 120 minutes in the finale of the 2012 championship in the United Arab Emirates.

Source Tuoitrenews