Vietnam’s national football team secured their spot in the third-place playoff of an ongoing tournament by overcoming Pakistan 4-2, with a match scheduled against Malaysia on October 5. The game saw Vietnam making a strong comeback after trailing behind, thanks to key performances from several players.
The match took an unexpected turn in the 31st minute when Pakistan’s Mohib Ullah took advantage of a defensive error by Vietnam, scoring the first goal past goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang. Despite the setback, Vietnam’s resolve was evident after the halftime break with strategic changes that turned the game in their favor.
Substitutes Nguyen Dinh Bac and Phan Tuan Tai played crucial roles in the second half. Five minutes into the half, Nguyen Hai Long equalized the score, capitalizing on an assist from Tuan Tai. Vietnam then seized the lead in the 57th minute through captain Nguyen Hoang Duc, who found the net following a well-crafted setup by Dinh Bac on the left flank.
Dinh Bac continued to influence the match, extending Vietnam’s lead to 3-1 in the 80th minute. He skillfully controlled a long pass from Tuan Tai and finished adeptly at the near post. Pakistan attempted a late resurgence with Ali Akbar Khan’s shot deflecting off Kaleem Ullah in the 88th minute, reducing the deficit.
However, Vietnam sealed their victory in stoppage time. Dinh Bac once again contributed, assisting Williams Minh Hoang, who scored his first international goal, bringing the final score to 4-2. This win places Vietnam in second place in Group B with six points, maintaining their aspirations for a bronze medal. Meanwhile, Indonesia and Thailand are set to face each other in the final.