Challenge Cup: Koreans Thrash Vietnam

Malaysia ended the group match on second following the 4-1 win Ulsan Hyundai notched against Vietnam which ensured the side from South Korea the top spot in Group B.

Ulsan, fielding a reserve team, had been held by Malaysia to a 1-1 draw in their first game but started strongly with an attempt in the fifth minute off a corner from the right.

The young Vietnamese side struggled to keep possession although they did come close off Hoang Dinh Tung, which narrowly missed its intended target.

The former South Korean champions ended the first half with an attempt which came off the woodwork.

Vietnam came in stronger after the break but it was the Koreans who went ahead through Lee Jin Woo just three minutes after the restart.

Nguyen Tang Tuan then upped the tempo for Vietnam with a try which went over the crossbar while Nguyen Van Khai’s attempt from outside went wide.Hyundai then carved a way through for Kim Seong Min to score the second goal from inside the box on 56th minute as Kim Cheol Bae then hit the third goal for the Koreans in the 68th minute.

Vietnam then scored their only goal in the game through Hoang Nhat Nam in the 74th minute as Hyundai confirmed their place at the top of the group and a place in the last four with their fourth and final goal off Young Seok on 82nd minute.

Ulsan ended the group stage on the same goal difference with Malaysia but they take Group B due to scoring more goals in the competition.

With the win, Hyundai will now play Indonesia – the runners-up team from Group A in the semi-finals tomorrow.