Vietnam’s national football team clinched a hard-fought 2-1 win against Cambodia in a friendly match at Go Dau Stadium on March 19, thanks to first-half goals from Nguyen Hai Long and Nguyen Van Vi. Despite Cambodia’s spirited resistance and a second-half comeback attempt, Vietnam held firm to secure the victory. The match served as a vital warm-up for their upcoming Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against Laos on March 25.
The game began with Cambodia displaying confidence, pressing Vietnam early on. However, the home side quickly asserted control, and in the 26th minute, Hai Long broke the deadlock with a brilliantly executed free kick that curled past the Cambodian wall and goalkeeper, making it 1-0. Ten minutes later, Van Vi doubled the lead, capitalizing on a chaotic moment in the penalty area to fire a decisive shot into the net, bringing the score to 2-0 by halftime.
Cambodia emerged revitalized after the break, pushing forward in search of a goal. Their persistence paid off in the 64th minute when Samuel unleashed a powerful strike that beat Vietnam’s goalkeeper Dinh Trieu, narrowing the gap to 2-1. The goal injected urgency into the match, with Cambodia pressing for an equalizer. Vietnam, though, tightened their defense and weathered the storm, despite squandering a few late chances to extend their lead. The final whistle confirmed a 2-1 triumph for the hosts.
The narrow victory offers valuable lessons as Vietnam prepares for the qualifiers. With Cambodia’s coach Koji Gyotoku having targeted players like Hoang Duc, Vietnam’s depth was tested, and the match provided a platform to integrate younger talents. Fans at Go Dau Stadium, though relieved by the result, noted the tense finish. “We need to be sharper,” one supporter said. “But a win is a win.”
This friendly marks Vietnam’s final tune-up before facing Laos, with Coach Kim likely to refine tactics based on tonight’s performance. For Cambodia, the loss stings but reinforces their progress. As Vietnam celebrates Hai Long and Van Vi’s heroics, the focus now shifts to carrying this momentum forward.
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