RoK win VFF Cup
(VOV) - The Republic of Korea's U23 team held Vietnam to a 1-1 draw in their final match to earn the single point they needed to win the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) Cup on October 28.
RoK captain Kim Bong-Rae opened the scoring at HCM City’s Thong Nhat Stadium with a 40th minute penalty kick, before Nguyen Van Quyet equalised for Vietnam with a stunning free kick early in the second half.
The match was played at a high tempo throughout but the RoK had the first real chance of the match when a through-ball released Kong Min-Huyn in the 13th minute, but his hesitancy allowed a Vietnamese defender to intervene.
Four minutes later, the RoK's Han Seung-Yeop missed an excellent opportunity when he failed to beat Duong Hong Son in a face-to-face situation.
Vietnam also had their chances. In the 20th minute, Nguyen Trong Hoang managed to poke the ball past the RoK's goalkeeper Hwang Sung-Hyun but his shot was cleared off the goal line.
The RoK finally broke the deadlock from the penalty spot five minutes before the interval.
Vietnam played better in the second half, putting the RoK under huge pressure and their efforts were rewarded with an equaliser as Quyet slotted home a free kick from the left wing.
The RoK lifted the trophy and received prize money of US$20,000 after having claiming seven points from their three matches.
Turkmenistan came second with six points from their two wins and pocketed US$10,000, while Vietnam finished third with four points from a win and a draw, earning US$5,000.