Striker Do Ngoc Cham scored two goals, while halfback Nguyen Thi Nga made it three for Vietnam, who now top group A with three points.

Myanmar’s Than Thwe scored for the visitors in the 70th minute.

Despite scoring three goals, Vietnam struggled to stamp their authority on the match.

Strikers Cham and Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai did not coordinate well. She redeemed herself in the 22nd minute of the match however when she received a pass from Nguyen Minh Nguyet. Cham tapped the ball past the Myanmar keeper, who could only marginally deflect its course.

Around 20 minutes after the break. Cham got on the end of a free kick by Tran Kim Hong and drilled the ball into the back of the net.

Myamar’s goal came from a free kick. Eight minutes later the visitors won a penalty but keeper Dang Thi Kieu Trinh managed to push the ball wide.

Three minutes from time, halfback Nga headed the ball into the Myanmar goal.

It was Vietnam’s fifth victory over Myanmar in six encounters.

They lost 0-1 to Myanmar in November 2005.

The host team will play Indonesia on Oct. 10, while Myanmar will meet Malaysia.

The annual tournament has attracted eight regional teams and Australians, who were invited to play. The final will take place on October 20. - VNA