Australia beats Vietnam 2-0 in Asian Cup group match
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The Australian women's team proved they are too strong for Vietnam as they claimed a 2-0 victory in their Group B opener at the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Women's Asian Cup?in Chengdu?on Wednesday.
The AFC women's Asian Cup is held in the soccer-mad city of Chengdu from May 19-30. The top three finishers will qualify for next year's World Cup in Germany.
Australia suffered a sluggish start as they wasted several good chances. The first goal came in the 28th minute as forward Leena Khamis made a sharp-angle shot which went into the left bottom of the net.
Vietnam's misery was compounded in the second half when their defender tackled down Australia's forward Tameka Butt in the penalty zone in the 51st minute, which gifted Australia a penalty.
Midfielder Kylie Ledbrook killed off Vietnam's lingering hope of a comeback by scoring a tight-angle penalty in the 52rd minute.
Vietnam was pressed into their own half in most of the time. Their best opportunity before the break came in the 10th minute when midfielder Doan Thi Kim Chi's free kick went just narrowly higher.
Vietnam also wasted a good chance in the 62nd minute when midfielder Nguyen Thi Muon's superb shoot from the right corner of the penalty box was narrowly higher too.
The Group B also features hosts China and South Korea. Australia will clash with South Korea in the second round of Group B matches on May 21, while Vietnam will meet China later that day.
