SPORTS REPORTER

Bangladesh suffered a comprehensive 3-0 defeat to Vietnam in a FIFA friendly in Hanoi yesterday, as they continue preparations for their AFC Asian Cup Group 31 clash against hosts Singapore.

All three goals came in the first half. Phan Tuan Hai, Pham Xuan Manh and Nguyen Hai Long each found the net within the opening 40 minutes, highlighting the technical and tactical superiority of Vietnam, who are ranked 103rd in the world -- 78 places above Bangladesh.

The men in red and green, who had also lost to the same opponents twice during the 2002 World Cup qualifiers in Dammam, struggled to cope with the pace and precision of the home side.

However, Spanish coach Javier Cabrera’s charges dominated possession early at the National Stadium, but they were soon chasing shadows. Vietnam’s crisp passing with rapid attacks down both flanks repeatedly tested Bangladesh’s Topu Barman-less backline, while the absence of suspended midfielder Rakib Hossain had limited their threat in the final third.

Vietnam’s pressure told early. Tuan Hai guided a deep corner from Thuong Tien Anh into the net in the eighth minute, while Thuong and midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai kept Bangladeshi defenders on their toes. In the 18th minute, left-back Xuan Manh rose to meet a Quang Hai free-kick, doubling the lead, after goalkeeper Mehedi Hasan Srabon had tipped a powerful Nguyen Hoang Duc shot over the bar. Hai Long then added a third in the 38th minute, leaving Srabon disappointed as he could have done better after a couple of good saves.

The second half allowed both sides to rotate squads ahead of the Asian Cup tie. Bangladesh fielded fit-again Bishwanath Ghosh, Emon Shahriar and Jamal Bhuiyan, and enjoyed better possession late on. Hamza Chowdhury nearly scored from a Suman Reza flick, while Bangladesh survived late scares as substitutes Nguyen Xuan Son and Pham Gia Hung struck the post twice in the dying minutes.