Hung Thinh football friendly tournament: India lose 0-3 to Vietnam

A forgettable evening for India suffer a 0-3 defeat to hosts Vietnam in their second game of the Hung Thinh football friendly tournament. India were outplayed by Vietnam in their second fixture of the Hung Thinh football friendly tournament in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday.

“It is a very different game against a much stronger opponent, so our approach was also change accordingly. We need to be more focused, especially on vertical football and quick transition,” Stimac said.

India 0-3 Vietnam

India ranked 104th in the world, came away with a draw against Singapore in the previous game as Ashique Kuruniyan scored the equaliser for India after Singapore had seized the lead in the 37th minute. Hosts Vietnam clinched a resounding 4-0 victory over 159th ranked Singapore in their meeting.

Phan Van Duc opened the account for the hosts in the 10th minute in the only strike in the first half. Nguyen Van Toan then doubled Vietnam’s lead four minutes into the second half to put further pressure on the Indians. Nguyen Van Quyet’s 71sh minute strike then put the result beyond doubt as Igor Stimac’s Blue Tigers were served a harsh reality check at the Thong Nhat Stadium in the Vietnamese capital.

There were a few bright spots in an otherwise dull Indian performance on Tuesday, such as goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu stretching to the max to keep out a long ranger from hitting the net. Ashique Kuruniyan coming narrowly close to an equaliser in the first half after a spirited charge, going for a left-footed strike from inside the box that went just wide of the goal post.

“I’ve watched their first match against Singapore and they (Vietnam) are a very disciplined side. They have also had enough time after the first game for recovery, while we need to see how many of our boys will be available and fit to play,” said Stimac. Hinting that there may be significant changes to the side, he said, “A few of our players are back and fresh now, so we will make sure we have enough strength and speed on the pitch for Vietnam.”