Vietnam succumb to rampant Japan

Although both sides qualified for the finals of the Asian U19 Football Championship later this year, Japan proved to be playing at a higher level in both skills and physical strength.

During the match, Minamito Takumi scored a double, while Sekine Takahiro and Miura Genta pocketed one each in the first half.

Mochizuki Reo, Tamura Ryosuka and Shuto Kitagawa completed a goal buffet in the second.

The Japanese side dominated the match, scoring four goals in the first half (Photo: Tung Le)

Losing the first match to AS Roma two days ago, the Vietnamese players showed their great potential and were expecting better results in their second match.

However they found they were unable to display their talents. Their perfect combinations, exact passes and threatening attempts that confused the Italian, disappeared while playing the Japanese.

The defenders failed to stop Japanese strikers during most of their attacks, as the midfielder could not set up a link with the front line and the strikers did not have the ball often enough to score.

Three players, Nguyen Van Toan, Nguyen Cong Phuong, and Nguyen Tuan Anh, who AS Roma coach Alberto de Rossi said were talented enough to play in Europe, displayed none of their abilities against the Japanese opponents.

The Japanese were excellent in both attack and defence, facing almost no challenge in a match that they comprehensively dominated.

Coach Graechen Guillaume of Vietnam made all five changes, but could not improve the situation. Only in the last 10 minutes did Vietnam have several opportunities, when the Japanese ensured their win, then loosened their attention. However, Vietnam’s tired strikers could not convert these changes to goals.

In the earlier match of the day, AS Roma defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-1. Their second victory left them as leader of the tournament, with six points.  

AS Roma will play Japan and Vietnam will face the Spur lads on January 10.