Vietnam rout Laos 5-0, keep alive men’s football semis hope

Vietnamese players celebrate a goal during their clash with Laos in the men's football event of the 27th Southeast Asian Games on December 15, 2013.

The Vietnamese had no choice but to beat neighbors Laos in Myanmar’s capital Naypyidaw to continue nurturing their semis dream after losing to Singapore on Tuesday.

Vietnam had racked up three points prior to the Group A encounter with Laos while rivals Malaysia drew 1-1 with Singapore today, which has earned the latter a spot in the semis slated for next Thursday.  

Vietnam displayed exciting play in the first half and netted two goals before slowing the rhythm a bit in the second when they subdued the Lao goalie three more times.

Young star Van Quyet scored a brace, with the other three goals coming from two Vietnamese strikers and a Lao defender.

Striker Ha Minh Tuan broke the deadlock in the 27th minute by firing a direct free kick past goalkeeper Seng Athit Somvang.

Midfielder Van Quyet doubled the score four minutes later with a solo performance completed by a wonderful shot in the box.

Quyet headed home his second goal in the 76th minute before Vietnam were handed a fourth goal three minutes later by a Lao defender who was trying to clear the ball from Vietnamese midfielder Vu Minh Tuan.

Striker Mac Hong Quan hammered the last nail in Laos’ coffin 89 minutes into the game, shooting the ball toward the far post.

But the Vietnamese suffered a loss when defender Sam Ngoc Duc was red-carded in the last minutes, probably a setback for them before their must-win final group stage game against Malaysia on Tuesday next week.

Vietnam now rank third with six points in a group led by Singapore (eight points), followed by Malaysia (seven points).

They will book the other ticket to the semis if the Vietnamese men beat Malaysia at Zeyar Thiri Stadium.