(VNF) - By beat Singaporean rivals 5-4 in the deadly penalties shots of the four-team Nations Cup 2016 in Malaysia, the U21 Vietnamese national football squad pocketed the bronze medal.

After losing 0-2 to Thai rivals, the team demonstrated its strong thirst for victory over U21 Singapore, in spite of their opponents' professional skills.

Head coach Hoang Anh Tuan deployed a 4-3-1-2 tactic.

Adam Swandi’s head opened the game in the 41st minute, than his teammate Muhd Hazim Faiz Hassan deployed an unsaved shot to the high corner of the Vietnam’s wooden frame to set the score at 2-0.

In the 56th minute, half-back Quang Hai fell in the 16.50m penalty area, and QNK Quang Nam club fullback Huynh Tan Sinh easily narrowed the gap to 2-1. This goal provided a strong impetus for Vietnamese players to level the game. The “golden moment” came in the 90th minute as striker Duc Chinh smoothly received a short cut from his teammate to balance 2-2. He trounced goalie Hassan Sunny, who was named one of the best world 20 goal keepers by Telegraph news.

In the deadly penalties shots, Vietnam failed one time, while its Singaporean rival recorded two failures. Fullback Ho Tan Tai from Binh Dinh province successfully kicked the final shoot for Vietnam./.

( VNF )