Malaysia Lose 1-2 To Vietnam In AFC U-23 Group Opener

SHAH ALAM (Selangor) , March 28 (Bernama) - Malaysia lost 1-2 to Vietnam in a Group 1, AFC U-23 2016 Championship opening match at Shah Alam Stadium on Friday. Both teams played an entertaining game with action swinging from one side to another as soon as Australian referee Christopher Beath blew the whistle. Malaysia drew first blood when skipper Nazirul Naim Che Hashim scored in the 33rd minute when his beautiful freekick from 25 metres out found the net. Stung by the goal, Vietnam rallied with several attacks and were rewarded when midfielder Vo Huy Toan scored the equaliser in the 38th minute. The goal fired up Vietnam who mounted a series of raids and were rewarded when striker Nguyen Cong Phuong scored the second goal in the 44th minute. After the break, Malaysia mounted numerous raids in search of the equaliser but the players were let down by poor finishing and the solid Vietnam defence. Japan whipped Macau 7-0 in an earlier match at Shah Alam Stadium. Malaysia will play Macau at 4.30 pm while Japan will play Vietnam at 8.15pm on March 29. Both matches will take place at the same venue. Speaking to reporters after the match, Malaysia U-23 head coach Razip Ismail said he was unhappy with the lapse of concentration by the backline towards the end of the first half. "I don't know what has happened to our defenders after we scored the opening goal...Our strikers also failed to created goal scoring chances. I need to review the video recording to see what other mistakes were committed." Razip said he will rest several key players in the second match against whipping boys Macau on March 29 to save them for the crunch match against favourites on March 31. Meanwhile, Vietnam U-23 head coach Toshiya Miura praised his players for putting up a good fighting spirit despite trailing at one stage. "I told my players not to panic despite trailing a goal and wait for (goal scoring) chances. I'm happy and satisfied with the result.(For me), it's a tough game as both teams are equally good. "I am not sure about our chances to qualify for the final round despite the first win as this group is tougher compared to the others groups," said Miura who also head coach of Vietnam's senior squad. (photoBernama) --BERNAMA