Vietnamese players defend a corner from the Republic of Korean. (Photo: VNA) Five out of six goals of the RoK were scored by players playing inEurope's top five leagues, namely Kim Min-jae, Hwang Hee-chan, Son Heung-min,Lee Kang-in and Jeong Woo-yeong. Vietnam did manage one goal... butsadly Vo Minh Trong put the ball into his own net.
The RoK’s manager Jurgen Klinsmann and the Korean FootballAssociation came under some criticism from Korean fans on why Vietnam wasselected for a friendly. However, despite the scoreline, the brave showingfrom the Golden Star Warriors did give Klinsmann's A-team some nervy moments.
A respectful RoK went all out from kick-off with a star-filledsquad. In the fifth minute, the RoK found their opening from a corner kick. The1.9m tall Kim Min-jae, currently playing for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga,sent a towering header that gave the Vietnamese defence no chance.
The goal seemed to suck all of Vietnam's confidence, as PhilippeTroussier's team was subjected to shots after shots from the home side. It tookuntil the 22nd minute for Vietnam to regain composure, with two big chancescoming for young defender Truong Tien Anh. The right-back, however, lacked thefinesse to seize the opportunities.
Vietnam pushed higher looking for the equaliser, but fell into atrap by Klinsmann's team. Just five minutes after Tien Anh's squanderedchances, Wolverhampton Wanderers' Hwang Hee-chan doubled the lead for theTaeguk Warriors from a quick counter.
The game's pace was pushed higher in the second half, and the RoKproved to be the better side in high-speed attacking scenarios. In the 50thminute, a cross from captain Son Heung-min led to Minh Trong's own goal.
Eleven minutes later, the 2021/22 Premier League top scorer gothis deserved goal, as Son finished off a great one-two with Hwang to make it4-0 for the hosts.
Son got an assist in the 71st minute, with a beautiful deliveryfor PSG's Lee Kang-in to fire in a left-footed shot into Dang Van Lam's net.
A controversial moment happened in the 61st minute with Son alsoplaying a role. A tackle from Bui Hoang Viet Anh was on point and the defendertouched the ball first, before unfortunately hitting Son's supporting leg.
The referee quickly handed a straight red card to Viet Anh, anddespite protests from Son himself to rescind the card, the decision was finaland Vietnam were down to ten men in the last twenty minutes.
Although at a disadvantage, Vietnam played much better in thefinal minutes. In the 73rd minute, Khuat Van Khang even rattled Jo Hyeon-woo'swoodwork with a stunning free-kick from 20 metres.
Klinsmann and the RoK were not complacent, and scored a sixth goalin the 86th minute, courtesy of Jeong Woo-young's easy tap-in to finish thematch 6-0.
Troussier still positive
In the post-match press conference, the Vietnam national team'shead coach showed no conserns over the result, but rather was more disappointedat the chances squandered by his players.
"I'm really not surprised by the results. But in terms ofscore, the Vietnamese team deserved a goal," said Troussier, "Tobe precise, we need to convert opportunities into goals better."
The Frenchman was happy with his team's disciplined play and notedthat the defeat came mostly from the opposition's quickness and greaterphysicality.
His counterpart, German legend Jurgen Klinsmann, sang praises of Vietnamdespite the heavy rout from his team.
"Vietnam had opportunities," said Klinsmann, "Ifthe match was replayed, the RoK might not win. I respect Vietnam and the factthat our opponent gave their best on the field."
Vietnam's players will return home to start the 23/24football season with their respective clubs. In their next national break,Vietnam will face the Philippines away on November 16, and Iraq at home onNovember 21./.
VNA
