Vietnamese archers break SEA Games’ record

Eye on the ball: Việt Nam vs Thailand in the women’s futsal match at the SEA Games yesterday. - VNA/VNS Photo Quốc Khánh.

In the bronze medal match, the Vietnamese pair defeated Paul Marton Dela Cruz and Amaya Amparo Cojuangco of the Philippines 159-155.

According to coach Cáp Mạnh Tân, Việt Nam’s score of 159 points was recognised as a new SEA Games record, beating the old record of 157 points. It is also a new Vietnamese record.

Earlier, Cương and Oanh beat the Thai team 156 – 154 in the quarter-finals, however they lost to Fatin Salleh and Mohda Mazuki of the hosts 152-154 in the semi-finals.

Malaysia’s Mazuki and Salleh clinched the nation’s third gold medal at the NSC Synthetic in Bukit Jalil.

The duo defeated Myanmar’s Aung Ngeain and Ye Min We 152-142 in the final.

Việt Nam have had pocketed two silver and one bronze medals in the archery event, thanks largely to 20-year-old archer Oanh.

She won silver in the women’s individual compound event and then alongside Lê Ngọc Huyền and Nguyễn Thị Nhật Lệ won another silver in the women’s three-stringed bow.

“I never thought that I was a medal hope of Việt Nam at the largest regional sport event. I only thought that competing in the Games was a joy for me,” said Oanh.

The southern province of Trà Vinh-born player has trained for four years, however, she nearly gave it up at one point.

“You must be very strong to be an archer. A bow weighs three-four kilogrammes and the force to pull it is nearly 20kg. I have a good body but I am not good in physical strength so I have trained so much to stay in the team,” said Oanh.

Last year, Oanh won a gold medal and broke the national record at the domestic junior event.

In other news, Viet Nam’s female futsal team lost to Thailand 3-1 in their first match yesterday.

Việt Nam played cautiously from the beginning, leading to a scoreless first half.

In the second period, Thailand dominated with three goals while Việt Nam scored only one goal, making the match end 3-1.

The Vietnamese players will face hosts Malaysia in the second match on August 22.

On the men’s side, Việt Nam also lost to Thailand 4-1.