Viet Nam off to a strong start with 3-0 win against Laos

U23 Viet Nam made a good start at the 2025 ASEAN U23 Championship with a comfortable 3-0 win over Laos in a match held in Indonesia on July 19.

Viet Nam off to a strong start with 3-0 win against Laos (Photo: VFF)

Captain Khuat Van Khang opened the scoring early in the first half, before centre-back Nguyen Hieu Minh scored a brace in the latter stages of the game.

In the 18th minute, Nhat Minh made an unexpected advance and delivered a precise cross for Van Khang to score with a one-touch finish, opening the scoring.

In the second half, the Viet Nam team maintained ball control, but their attacking plays still lacked sharpness, with decisive passes failing to achieve the required accuracy.

In a game with few breakthroughs, in the 69th minute, from a left-wing corner kick taken by Dinh Bac, Hieu Minh rose high to head accurately to double Viet Nam's lead.

In the 83rd minute, Hieu Minh capitalised on a scramble inside the penalty area to complete his brace, helping U23 Viet Nam close the match with a convincing victory.

With this result, Viet Nam now stands atop Group B, significantly enhancing their chances of advancing to the semi-finals.

NDO