Vietnam no match for Qantas Young Socceroos

The Qantas Young Socceroos have continued on its winning way, after accounting for Vietnam 4-0 in Kuantan, Malaysia on Friday night. It was there second win after beating Thailand on Wednesday night, in the four-nation tournament.

The Qantas Young Socceroos have continued on its winning way, after accounting for Vietnam 4-0 in Kuantan, Malaysia on Friday night.

Leading 1-0 at half time, Australia upped the tempo in the second half and added three further goals and make it two wins from two matches in the three-game tournament.

Australia got off to a great start, grabbing the lead after just 10 minutes. Evan Berger hit a cracking strike from 25 metres that dipped over the Vietnam keeper into the top corner.

Vietnam should have been level five minutes later when they were awarded a penalty after a handball by Sebastian Ryall. However the penalty struck the right post and frantically cleared away by the Australian defence.

With Vietnam getting numbers behind the ball, the Qantas Young Socceroos struggled to break down and get clear chances in the box, with set pieces proving the best avenue to goal.

The best of these came to Queensland Roar midfielder Dario Vidosic in the 29th minute, but he headed over the bar.

Australia came out strongly in the second half and was quick to grab a second goal, when Troy Hearfield guided a bouncing ball from Berger home from close range.

Buoyed by the goal, Australia continued to up the tempo and added a third goal in the 53rd minute, when substitute Bruce Djite beautifully dummied Tarek Elrich-s pass, for Nathan Burns to run onto and slot home.

Soon after the rain started to come down fairly heavy, making it difficult for the players, but in the 76th minute they were able to grab a fourth goal, when Elrich volleyed home Oliver Bozanic-s cross.

Coach Ange Postecoglou believes the team is traveling well and was pleased with the performance in tough conditions.

“Not too bad,” was Postecoglou-s response on how he rated the performance. “They played defensively in the first half and we struggled to break them down after we scored early. But we upped the tempo in the 2nd half, scored early and pretty much controlled it from there.

“We dealt with the heat and humidity much better in this game and that-s a good sign in terms of preparation for India (next month).

“This is a good dress rehearsal, we-ll face similar opponents and so far its been a good week for the boys.

“We-ve had two good wins and I am really happy with how we are traveling at the moment.”

Match Details

Australia 4 (Evan Berger 10-, Troy Hearfield 48-, Nathan Burns 53-, Tarek Elrich 76-) Vietnam 0

Australian line-up: Tando Velaphi (gk); Peter Eleftherakis, Steven O-Dor, Sebastian Ryall, Evan Berger (Oliver Bozanic 57-), Shaun Ontong, Bradley Porter, Tarek Elrich, Nathan Burns, Dario Vidosic (Bruce Djite 46-), Troy Hearfield (Robbie Kruse 70-)

Cautions: Hearfield (60-) - misses next match