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AFF Championship – Singapore disappointing against Laos, while Vietnam sink Malaysia
Singapore were very out of sorts in their 2-0 Victory against Laos, while Vietnam managed to tank Malaysia 3-0.
To read about yesterdays games click here.
Singapore 2 Laos 0
This was technically the mighty against the minnows, but the lions lacked some roar against bottom placed and winless Laos. Prior to the match the Laos coach Michael Weiss stated that Vietnam and Malaysia, who beat his side 6-0 and 5-0 respectively were better sides, a point seemingly proved with this match.
Laos began the match as the better side, but went one down when Zulfahmi Arifin’s beautiful delivery was powerfully headed in by Irfan for his second goal for Singapore in the 32nd minute.
The game was finally put to bed when Shawal a 61st minute substitute sliced past the Laos goalkeeper in injury time for an impressive 5 goals in just 4 games.
And yet while a victory is a victory, the lack of goals might come back to bite Singapore on the bum if it all comes down to goal difference.
Vietnam 3 Malaysia 0
In this must win game for both sides it was Vietnam who were by far the better team in this 3-0 trouncing of Malaysia, going one better than Singapore could manage at bottom placed Laos.
Vietnam who are led by Korean legend Park Hang-Seo went ahead in the 28th minute when Nguyen Tien Linh beat Brendan Gan to head home a well taken corner in by Do Hung Dung.
Five minutes later the Vietnamese looked they would be in trouble when they were reduced to 10 men after 2018 AFF Championship Player of the Tournament Nguyen Quang Hai, was shown a controversial second yellow card.
After this Malaysia were the better side and took advantage of their additional player, but without being able to find the net.
This all changed in the 64 minute when fullback Azam Azmi was shown a straight red card and give away a penalty, duly converted by Que Ngoc Hai.
The goal of the night though was to occur in the 83rd minute when Quang Hai,, came off the bench to deliver a delightful no-look reverse pass for Nguyen Hoang Duc who scooped it over the goalkeeper.
Who will qualify from Group B?
Vietnam’s victory puts them squarely top of the pile, with maximum points so far. The battle for second place will be between Malaysia and Singapore, with their final group match together likely being a winner takes all.
As things stand they would join Thailand and Indonesia in the semi-finals.
You can check the tables and schedule for the 2022 AFF Championship here.
