Vietnam advanced into the Merdeka Cup final after edging Sierra Leone 3-2 on penalties after both teams were tied 2-2 during normal and extra-time in their semifinal encounter at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here on Wednesday night.
Prior to the penalty shootout, Vietnam who were trailing 0-2 had staged a remarkable fight back to force the match into extra-time.
The African nation had dominated play in the early stages of the match and took the lead through Mohamed Kabia in the 39th minute before Dwight Foray made it 2-0 in the 68th minute.
However, Vietnam managed to reduce the deficit in the 73rd minute through
Trinh Quang Vinh while Nguyen Duc Thien equalised in the 81st minute to force extra-time.
Since both teams failed to break the deadlock after 30 minutes of extra-time play, the tie had to be decided by a penalty shootout.
Three missed spot kicks by Mumino Khomson Kamara, Mohamed Kabia and Mamadu Lajor Bah saw Sierra Leone concede defeat to Vietnam who meet Malaysia in the final.
Malaysia beat Myanmar 4-0 in the other semifinal to book their berth.
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