BACOLOD City – In one of the most bizarre game in the 23 rd Southeast Asian Games, Vietnam moved to the top of Group B after an 8-2 win over Laos yesterday at the Paglaum Sports Complex – with three own goals scored in the first half.

In the second game, Myanmar fought Indonesia to a scoreless draw.

Four minutes in, Vietnam's Le Cong Ving struck first and Phan Van Nguyen made it 2-0 in the 9 th before the match took a weird turn in the 15th minute.

Kila Sysavah deflected the ball into his own net to give Vietnam a 3-0 lead and another defensive miscue resulted into another own goal in the 18th for a 4-0 count.

Vietnam got into the act after Le Van Troung headed the ball past his own keeper to make it 4-1 in the 20 th.

"I have never seen anything like this in my whole life, three own goals in the first half?" said Vietnam coach, Aflred Reidl in the post match press conference.

Ving scored again in the 39th and 49th minute for a 6-2 lead and added another in the second half to finish with four goals.

"He's our best striker in the team," Reidl said of Ving, who has earned a strong following from the ladies here, eliciting shrieks whenever he touches the ball.


Reidl added that he didn't expect to win by that much against Laos , considering Laos upset over Myanmar in its first game, but he also said "we could still play better."


Vietnam is on top of its group with two wins and only needs another win to bag a semifinal spot. They will next face Myanmar tomorrow and Indonesia on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Philippine national team, christened the Askals by the fans, is set to debut today against Thailand in the lone match at the Panaad Park and Stadium at 4:40 p.m.

Sources close to the team says that the 6-foot tall Ali Borromeo, who played striker in the 2004 Tiger Cup, will play defense to check the taller Thailand strikers.

Chelsea reserve players and brothers Philipp and James Younghusband are expected to carry the offensive duties of the team, which will also have former Carmen National School mainstay Michael Casas at goal.
(foto by Ruel Rosello)

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