Vietnam succumb to 0-1 home defeat against Australia

The Golden Star Warriors made tireless efforts throughout the match but failed to find the back of the net. Meanwhile, a first-half header by Rhyan Grant proved enough to secure Socceroos their second consecutive victory, which cemented their lead at the top of the group with six points.

Heading into the match as the underdogs, Park Hang-seo's side created the first opportunity of the match after seven minutes, with Van Duc taking a through ball from Hoang Duc in the right flank before passing it to Quang Hai in the box, who wasted by shooting high.

In the following minutes, Australia proved their class by dominating possession and putting constant pressure on the Vietnamese goal.

Socceroos found the back of the net in the 14^th minute but were denied by the referee as the ball had gone out of bounds before Brad Smith crossed it into the centre of the box for a teammate to slot in from close range.

Australia produced another threat halfway through the first half as Trent Sainsbury curled a shot from the right flank into the far corner, but it unexpectedly went wide.

Vietnam responded immediately later with two successive attempts by Nguyen Phong Hong Duy neither of which could get through the guests' solid defence.

Two minutes to go until the break, Socceroos broke the deadlock with unmarked Rhyan Grant heading past goalkeeper Dang Van Lam following a brilliant cross from Ajdin Hrustic.

In the second half, coach Park Hang-seo made a number of substitutions seeking to strengthen Vietnam's attacking power, with strikers Nguyen Van Toan and Ha Duc Chinh coming off the bench.

These quality adjustments diversified the Golden Star Warriors' attacks enabling them to create more chances than their opponents. Unfortunately, an equaliser was still far beyond the hosts' reach despite their tireless efforts.

Australia could have doubled their advantage with a few minutes to go as Mitchell Duke was denied a goal by VAR due to an offside.

The two sides will return to action on October 7 when Vietnam face China and Australia take on Oman in their Matchday Three fixtures.

(Source: NDO)