Shortly after the match at Binan stadium in the Philippines began, Thailand scored two continuous goals at the fifth and 11th minutes.

However, at the 15th minute, Nguyen Tien Linh of Vietnam broke through three Thai defenders in the box to head the ball in from a cross in the left wing.

Nguyen Tien Linh (No. 22) celebrates after scoring the leveling goal for Vietnam in the match against Thailand on December 5.

In the second half, Vietnam were awarded a penalty kick after Linh had been fouled inside the area. Although Huynh Tan Sinh’s penalty was denied by Nont Muangnam, Vietnam retook the kick as the Thai goalkeeper had moved in front of the line before Sinh touched the ball.

This time, Linh made no mistake with his penalty, decisively driving the ball to his left to beat Muangnam at the 72nd minute.

Holding Thailand to a 2-2 draw is enough for Vietnam to secure the top position of Group B and go further in the tournament.

The team of head coach Park Hang-seo will play Cambodia, which rank second in Group A, on December 7, the same day with the other semifinal between Indonesia, which are in Group B’s second place, and Group A’s top team Myanmar.

ASEAN, FIFA agree to cooperate to develop football in Southeast Asia

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Thailand on November 2 to promote social development and healthy lifestyles in the region through football.

Vietnam beat Hanyang University in int’l U21 football champs

Vietnam's U21 team trounced Hanyang University of the Republic of Korea 4-1 in the first match of the International U21 Football Championship 2019 at Hoa Xuan Stadium in the central city of Da Nang on October 30.

Vietnamese football expected to dominate at AFF Awards Night 2019

After its constant success in both the regional and continental arenas over the past two years, Vietnamese football is expected to run away with a glut of awards at the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Awards Night 2019, to be hosted in Hanoi on November 8.

Nguyen Quang Hai most popular football face in TV commercials

Star midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai is the most liked football personality in TV commercials, a recent survey has found.

National men’s football team jumps two places in FIFA rankings

The national men football team moved up two places to return to the 97th position in the latest FIFA Men's Rankings announced on October 24.

Source: VNA