Vietnam was unable to secure victory despite a 1-0 lead in a friendly against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Hanoi on December 25.

Vietnamese captain Luong Xuan Truong (in white) at the match. (Photo: VNA)

The match was considered a final test for the Vietnamese squad before the upcoming Asian Cup next month.

Coach Park Hang-seo made some changes to his tactics compared to his way at the AFF Suzuki Cup that Vietnam were the champions.

Among the AFF 2018 line-up, he kept only Doan Van Hau.

Many new players were tested such as goalkeeper Tuan Manh, defender Thanh Chung, midfielder Minh Vuong, and strikers Ngan Van Dai and Tien Linh.

At the 24^th minute, captain Jong Il Gwan from the DPRK shot the ball into Vietnam’s net, but the referee flagged for offside.

Vietnamese players had more opportunities but failed to score a goal.

The first half ended with no goals.

Tien Linh scores the solitary goal for Vietnam during the friendly match against the DPRK. (Photo: thethao247.vn)

Some minutes into the second half, Vietnam made two substitutions. Que Ngoc Hai replaced Van Hau, and Bui Tien Dung replaced Tuan Manh.

At the 55^th minute, Cong Phuong sent the ball for Tien Linh to break the offside trap into the 16m50 round and finish the corner to defeat goalkeeper Ri Myong Guk. The score was 1-0 for Vietnam.

After contributing to the opening score, at the 57^th minute, Cong Phuong made a quick touch for Minh Vuong to rush down to face the goalkeeper. However, a DPRK defender touched the ball to change its direction.

At the 63^rd minute, captain Jong Il Gwan took a 20-yard free-kick but the ball went over the bar.

At the 82^nd minute, Jong Il Gwan made good use of a free kick opportunity at the edge of the penalty box, putting the ball over the fence into the far corner to the disappointment of goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung.

Cong Phuong almost scored at the last minute of the match when he was at the 16m50 round, overcoming a defender from the DPRK and shooting in the near corner. However, the ball was sent behind the goal.

No more goals were scored during the three extra minutes of the second half.

The final result was 1-1.

The friendly match against the DPRK at My Dinh Stadium is one of two international friendlies of the Vietnamese squad ahead of their 2019 Asian Cup mission.

The “Golden Dragons” will “reunite” with the Philippines team in the other friendly in Qatar on December 31, before commencing their continental campaign with the opening match against Iraq on January 8.

Vietnam are in Group D of the Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates with Iraq, Iran and Yemen, while the DPRK are in Group E with Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Qatar./.

VNF/VNA