Son Heung-min played a part in both goals as South Korea beat China. (Khaled DESOUKI/AFP) Iran, joint favourites with the Koreans, also advanced as group winners despite being held to a goalless draw by bitter rivals Iraq, while Kyrgyzstan squeaked through on their tournament debut. Hwang Ui-jo and Kim Min-jae were on target as the Koreans, boosted by the arrival of their talisman, ran China ragged in Abu Dhabi. Son won the penalty converted by Hwang and fizzed in the assist for Kim to spark South Korea, who finished top of Group C with a perfect nine points as they look to end 59 years of Asian Cup hurt. "Of course I'm a bit tired - I didn't expect to play for so long," Korean captain Son told AFP after completing 87 minutes despite a punishing run of 13 games for Tottenham since the start of December. "But it's an honour to wear this red shirt and play for the national team. My first game of the tournament, clean sheet, 2-0 - it's a happy afternoon!" Marcello Lippi's Chinese side … [Read more...] about Son sparks Koreans to Asian Cup win as Iran fire blanks
Asian cup results
International friendly Vietnam vs DPR Korea: Worthwhile test for Asian Cup 2019
>>> Park summons 27 players for 2019 Asian Cup campaign >>> Can't underestimate Vietnam at Asian Cup 2019: FOX Sports Asia After being crowned champions at the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup earlier this month, coach Park Hang-seo's side immediately started preparing for the biggest continental football tournament that will start in UAE on January 5 next year. The Vietnam national team gathered on December 20 and said goodbye to Korean physical coach Bae Ji-won and three players, including Van Quyet, Anh Duc and Dinh Trong. Manager Park instead decided to give opportunities to seven young players as part of the 27-member squad in preparation for the Asian Cup. The friendly match against the DPRK at Hanoi’s My Dinh Stadium tomorrow evening is one of two international friendly matches of the hosts before the continental tournament. After the match, the Vietnamese players will “reunite" with the Philippines team in Qatar on December 31, before starting their 2019 Asian … [Read more...] about International friendly Vietnam vs DPR Korea: Worthwhile test for Asian Cup 2019
AFC Women’s Asian Cup: Vietnam suffers 0-8 defeat to Australia
Vietnam (in red) were defeated 0-8 by Australia on April 10 (Photo: AFC) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam were defeated 0-8 by Australia on April 10 in the team’s second match in the final round of the 2018 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Asian Cup held in Amman, Jordan. Vietnam’s starting line-up had some changes compared to the opener, as Khong Thi Hang was the goalkeeper and defender Nguyen Thi Xuyen was named as team captain. With a line-up of highly skilled players, Australia took control of the game right from the first few minutes of the game with high passes and fast dribbles along the sides. Kyah Simon scored the first goal for Australia in the eighth minute from a favourable pass of May Kerr. About 10 minutes later, Alanna Kennedy doubled the score with a header. Meanwhile, Vietnam launched continuous attacks with the hope of narrowing the gap, which resulted in weaknesses in the defend line. Logarzo and Van Egmond seized the chances and … [Read more...] about AFC Women’s Asian Cup: Vietnam suffers 0-8 defeat to Australia
Việt Nam to defend against Australia at Asian Cup
Viet Nam News Football HÀ NỘI — Coach Mai Ðức Chung asked his players to forget their loss to Japan and focus on the upcoming match against Australia at the Asian Women’s Cup tomorrow. In their first match of Group B, Việt Nam were defeated 0-4 by the defending champions. The match saw the loss of Chung’s two major players, Nguyễn Thị Nhung and Chương Thị Kiều, who were suffering from the flu and could not compete. “Currently, my players are in good spirits over the upcoming match. I told them we could be a loser in terms of the numbers, but we do have better spirit and more determination than (our rivals),” said Chung. Chung, after reviewing the first failure, said four goals lost to Japan were mainly due to the Vietnamese players’ mistakes. In the coming matches, these mistakes must be limited as the Asian runners-up Australia were also a very strong team. “They are taller … [Read more...] about Việt Nam to defend against Australia at Asian Cup
VN to play Japan in Asian Cup opener
Viet Nam News Football HÀ NỘI — The coach and players of the Vietnamese women’s football team affirmed their determination to win a World Cup place during their Group B matches at the Asian Cup. They will put that plan into motion when they play Japan in Amman, Jordan today. Speaking at a press conference yesterday, coach Mai Đức Chung of Việt Nam, said: “There is still a big gap between women’s teams in Asia. We are in a difficult group with strong opponents in Japan, South Korea and Australia. Việt Nam won a slot to compete at the Asian Cup finals, after our successful qualification. Our players are young, and we have several new faces who are inexperienced. However, we will do our best, especially in the first match, to overcome our challenges. We will not suffer from any pressure in this tournament.” Midfielder Nguyễn Thị Tuyết Dung and striker Huỳnh Như said that the team did not come … [Read more...] about VN to play Japan in Asian Cup opener