First half goals steered Vietnam to a winning start in the AFC U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia with a 2-0 defeat of Jordan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kim Sang-sik\u2019s side optimised their set-pieces to great effect to put themselves in a strong position to reach the quarter-finals from Group A, with debutants Kyrgyz Republic their next opponents on Friday with Jordan facing Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vietnam had the better start with a couple of long range efforts from Khuat Van Khang and Pham Minh Phuc which were tipped away by Jordan custodian Abdelrahman Suleiman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Southeast Asian side\u2019s early aggression paid off in the 15th minute when Nguyen Dinh Bac stroked home from 12 yards after a penalty was awarded following a VAR check, with Mohammad Taha having used his hands to block a corner kick delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jordan looked for a response and saw more of the ball but the front trio of Odeh Fakhoury, Khaldoon Sabra and Mahmoud Theeb saw little action as Vietnam\u2019s defence kept a tight lid on them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead, Vietnam had the opportunity to extend their advantage from another set-piece situation in the 29th minute but Pham Ly Duc\u2019s header was pushed over the bar by an alert Suleiman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Suleiman, however, was left rooted in the 42nd minute when Nguyen Hieu Minh coasted unchallenged at the back post to steer home Van Khang\u2019s inswinging corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jordan went close to pulling a goal back in added time but Yousef Qashi saw his curling free-kick hit the bar as Vietnam went into the break with a healthy advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jordan upped the pressure after the break as they went in search of a way back into the game but were let down by wayward attempts from Theeb and Seif Suleiman which left Vietnam goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien yet to be tested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The West Asian side finally created their first real chance in the game with 11 minutes left to play when Ali Hajabi flicked on a corner for Hashem Almbaidin, only for the midfielder to glance his header over the bar while Fakhoury\u2019s effort in stoppage time was saved by Tran as Vietnam comfortably saw out the win.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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