Le’s 4 goals ignite Viets rout of Laotians

BACOLOD — Vietnamese ace forward Le Cong Vinh made an awesome display of scoring prowess yesterday, delivering four goals as they toyed with the Laos side, 8-2, for a second straight win in the 23rd SEA Games men’s football competition at the Bacolod City Sports Complex.

Quick and sharp on the attack, and tough and efficient on defense, the Vietnamese easily followed up their 2-1 win over the Singaporeans Sunday to close in on the semifinal round of the nine-team tourney.

In the second match, Indonesia and Myanmar fought to a scoreless draw.

Vinh easily emerged Vietnam’s brightest star on his four goals all greeted with wild applause by a small group of flag-waving Vietnamese in the gallery.

Most of the Vietnamese crowd came all the way from Iloilo with some just on a brief stopover here on their holiday cruise.

The Vietnam XI didn’t let them go home without seeing a good show.

Aside from Vinh, also coming away with goals for Vietnam were Phan Van Quyen with two and Tran Hai Lam one. Laos’ Kaysone Soukhavona gave the Vietnamese a bonus with an own-goal in the 16th minute.

Vietnam’s Le Bath Hieu returned the compliment only three minutes later also with an own-goal.

The Vietnamese, losing finalists in the 2003 SEA Games and winners of the recent Agri Cup at home turf, practically imposed their will on the Laotians, darting to a commanding 3-0 lead in the first 16 minutes of play.

The Vietnam XI, reportedly given an incentive of $41,000 on their victory over Singapore Sunday, went to enjoy a 6-2 spread at the break.