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*Goals: Tien Linh 9', Xuan Manh 67', Van Vi 72' - Shrestha 17'
The hosts got off to a fast start in Go Dau Stadium. In the 9th minute, Nguyen Tien Linh opened the scoring after a precise long pass from Truong Tien Anh found him inside the box. The 27-year-old striker calmly slotted the ball past the Nepal goalkeeper, marking his 26th goal for the national team—just one shy of Le Huynh Duc’s record as Vietnam’s second-best goalscorer.
Nepal responded in the 17th minute when a free kick from the left found Sanish Shrestha, who headed it past Dang Van Lam to level the score.
Vietnam had a chance to retake the lead before halftime, but Pham Tuan Hai’s offside goal in the 24th minute was disallowed.
The match took a dramatic turn just before the break. In the 45th minute, Hai Long was fouled by Nepal’s Laken Limbu in a goal-scoring opportunity. The referee issued a red card, reducing Nepal to ten men. Vietnam nearly capitalized immediately, with Hai Long’s free kick narrowly saved by the goalkeeper as the first half ended.
In the second half, Vietnam intensified their attack. Substitutions brought fresh energy onto the pitch, with Nguyen Thanh Nhan, Pham Gia Hung, and Nguyen Van Vi all entering to strengthen the offensive line. Their efforts paid off in the 67th minute when a corner kick led to a scrappy goal by Pham Xuan Manh, giving Vietnam a 2-1 lead.
The game was effectively sealed in the 72nd minute. Vietnam’s persistent pressure forced Nepal’s defense to crumble, and Nguyen Hoang Duc set up substitute Van Vi, who tapped in from close range to make it 3-1. Despite late efforts, including a nearly successful long-range shot from Duc Chien in the 88th minute, Vietnam could not extend their lead.
A last-minute offside goal by Thanh Nhan in added time was disallowed, confirming the 3-1 result.
With this win, Vietnam remains firmly in second place in Group F, setting up a decisive return match in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday next week.
Asian Cup quallifiers: Vietnam 3-1 Nepal
