Simply spectacular: Vietnam’s Nguyen Tien Linh (right) celebrating with Nguyen Quang Hai after scoring against Indonesia during the AFF Mitsubishi Cup semi-final second-leg match in Hanoi. — AP
KUALA LUMPUR: Pre-match favourites Vietnam lived up to expectations by moving into the final of the AFF Mitsubishi Cup after beating Indonesia 2-0 in their second leg semi-final at the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi.
The Golden Star Warriors won on a 2-0 aggregate after managing only a goalless draw in the first leg at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta last Friday.
The match started in frantic pace as both sides were desperate for a win but with Indonesian strikers leaving their scoring boots at home, Nguyen Tien Linh turned up at the Indonesian goal-mouth as early as the third minute to finish off a superb cross from Do Hung Dung.
Coach Park Hang-seo’s charges continued to raise the tempo of the game that was at times littered by minor commotions due to the aggressive style of play from both sides.
However, just like the start of the match, Tien Linh added his tally for the night by heading in another cross just two minutes (47th min) after the break.
The second goal all but took the steam out of Indonesia and dashed any hopes of a fightback.
Vietnam, winners of the title in 2008 and 2018, will face the winners of the match between Malaysia and Thailand. — Bernama
