Vietnam to play against Uzbekistan in AFC U23 champs final

(VNF) - Vietnam will play against Uzbekistan in the final of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U23 Championship being held in Changzhou, China this Saturday.

Vietnam's U23 team vs Qatar. (Source: VNA)

Earlier, in the first semifinal, Vietnam beat Qatar 4-3 in the penalty shootout to win a place in the final.

The thrilling match ended 2-2 after official time, causing the two teams to play extra time, but no more goals were scored.

It was the second match in a row in this tournament in which Vietnam had to play more than 120 minutes. The players were exhausted, but this did not prevent them from enjoying victory for the second time.

Goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung saved two kicks from Qatari while Nguyen Quang Hai, who scored both goals for Vietnam in the match, failed to beat keeper Mohammed Al Bakari.

Defender Vu Van Thanh was the last player to shoot the penalty for Vietnam. Millions of people held their breath and burst into tears of happiness when he succeeded.

Talking to reporters, coach Park Hang-seo said, “Before the championship begins, I said that U23 Vietnam is a special team and they are special in terms of competing spirit. My 23 players are fighters. I told fans that they would not be disappointed and we kept our promise.”

The players cried, supporters cried and, in Vietnam, people hugged each other and cheered as they began the second instant-flag parade in a week through cities and towns.

"It was difficult to describe my feelings at present. I am really happy with the result," said Hai in an interview with international media.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistan defeated the Republic of Korea 4-1 in the other semifinal lasting for 120 minutes to advance to the final match.

International media shaken

Vietnam’s U23 team is shaking the media in Asia in particular and the world in general as the team beat Qatar to enter the final of the AFC U23 Championship.

On its homepage, the AFC ran an article entitled “Vietnam through final after another thriller” with the image of Vietnamese player Quang Hai who scored two goals for Vietnam in the semi-final against Qatar.

The article wrote: “Goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung’s two penalty saves sensationally earned Vietnam a place in the AFC U23 Championship final on January 23^rd as the Southeast Asian nation beat Qatar in a penalty shootout after an extraordinary 2-2 draw at the end of extra-time.”

“Tien Dung stopped efforts from Qatari duo Ahmad Moein and Sultan Al Brake to seal the victory, one which continues Vietnam’s incredible journey in the competition under the wily guidance of head coach Park Hang-seo, and now sets up a title showdown against either Korea Republic or Uzbekistan on Saturday.”

“While the victory moves Vietnam, incredibly, a step nearer to the title, it sees Qatar fall at the semi-final stage for the second successive competition following their fourth-place finish at the tournament’s last edition in 2016,” it wrote.

Hanoians celebrates the victory of Vietnam's U23 soccer team yesterday. (Photo credit: Nguyen Khanh)

Fox Sports also had an article entitled “AFC U-23 Championship: Vietnam march on into final”, commending Vietnam’s victory over Qatar.

“Vietnam are remarkably through to the final of the 2018 AFC U-23 Championship after beating Qatar on penalties following a 2-2 draw in Tuesday’s semi-final at the Changzhou Olympic Sports Centre.”

Meanwhile, Goal.com also wrote about Vietnam’s victory in its article under the title “Indomitable Vietnam set AFC U23 final date thanks to Quang Hai’s double.”

“Vietnam are through to the AFC U-23 Championship final after defeating Qatar 4-3 on penalties, despite having trailed twice in their semi-final match,” it wrote.

Cambodia’s press also praised Vietnam’s win over Qatar to enter the final of the regional championship./.

VNF