Australia went on the front foot from the opening whistle, Amlani Tatu linking up well with Max Anastasio before dragging his shot from distance wide while Vietnam carried a threat on the counter through Nguyen Viet Long on the right flank.

Tatu made a great surging run in the 26th minute that saw him cut down inside the box by Dau Hong Phong with referee Kim Yu Jeong pointing to the spot, however, Macnicol smashed his effort against the crossbar as Vietnam survived the scare.

Captain Macnicol redeemed himself in the 41st minute when he picked up a loose ball in the middle, shrugged off the challenge of Dau before dispatching a low shot into the bottom corner to give Australia the lead.

Vietnam finally called Jai Ajanovic into action in first half added time, with the Australia custodian having to go full stretch to stop a curling low shot from Nguyen Van Khanh.

The second half started at blistering pace with Tatu producing another mazy run before laying the ball for Anastasio to smack a long range attempt against the bar.

The miss cost Australia dearly as parity was restored shortly after with Vietnam finding the equaliser in the 49th minute when Viet Long flicked on a long throw for Hoang to squeeze home a shot between Ajanovic and the near post.

Macnicol continued to be in the thick of the action, exchanging passes with Logan Sambrook inside the box in the 66th minute but scuffed his shot wide as Australia looked to retake the lead.

Both sides pushed hard for the winner but to no avail as they had to settle for a draw.

Next up for Australia are the United Arab Emirates with Vietnam taking on Japan, both matches to be played on Monday.