Hosts Vietnam had to accept a 1-1 draw with Qatar, although they had an upper hand during an Olympic qualifying men's soccer match for the Beijing Olympic Games on Saturday.
Ten minutes into the Group C game, Qatar striker Mohammed Addulraab Alyazidi scored the opening goal with a low shot just outside the box after blitz coordination with his teammates. Vietnamese defenders did not act tactfully and rapidly enough to prevent their rivals.
Three minute later, Nguyen Vu Phong equalized the score with a powerful shot past Qatar defenders and goalie Rajab Hamza Kassim from a distance of over 20 meters after latching onto the light and shot pass from striker Le Cong Vinh who conducted a free kick.
In the second half, Vietnamese players, controlling the ball most of the time, frequently laid siege to the Indonesia goal, but their efforts to take the lead did not pay off due to Qatar's thick defense.
In the injury time, a Vietnamese defender delivered a strong shot, forcing the Qatar goalie to make a save. The ball went beyond his hands to hit the cross bar.
With the draw, Vietnam has gained their first point after losing 0-1 to Japan in Tokyo on Aug. 22, while Qatar's tally has reached four points since they beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 in their home match in their opener.
Vietnam will clash with Saudi Arabia here on Sept. 12. Group C matches under Asia's final qualifying round for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games are to last from Aug. 22 to Nov. 21.
The Group C includes Vietnam, Japan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The top of the Group C, and those of three other groups in Asia, along with China, will advance into the final round.
Source: Xinhua
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