Vietnam must look to the future as their hopes to seal a berth in the AFC U23 Asian Cup semifinals were ended Sunday in Tashkent by Saudi Arabia, who impressed in the group stage as the Group D winners.
Saudi Arabia edged out Vietnam 2-0 at Lokomotiv Stadium though the runners-up in 2018 started with a tactical approach different from their three group-stage matches, playing aggressively right after the kick-off. Saudi Arabia, who secured three clean sheets before the knock-out stage, knew how to tackle Vietnam’s inspiration.
After Vietnam striker Le Minh Binh hit the Saudi Arabia bar in the 35th minute, Moteb Al Harbi pushed his side ahead with a low finish to the bottom right corner. Saudi Arabia took the lead in a moment the Vietnamese defense system loosened as a striker from the other side was lying in the Vietnam box.
Al-Buraikan doubled the gap 20 minutes after break time, followed by a red card that sent off Vietnam keeper Quan Van Chuan not long later. The 10-man side had no chance to narrow down the score.
Vietnam’s journey under head coach Gong Oh-kyun came to an end with a never-quit spirit. Saudi Arabia will play Australia in the semifinals.
Right before the Saudi Arabia vs. Vietnam match, Japan finished off defending champions South Korea with a 3-0 win to advance to the semi-finals, where they will take on hosts Uzbekistan, who beat Iraq 3-2 in the penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw in 120 minutes on Saturday.
Yuito Suzuki’s free kick in the 22nd minute hit the bar and fired for the young Samurai Blue despite South Korea goalkeeper Min Seong-jun’s stopping efforts. It was the striker who ended South Korea’s reign in the 80th minute with a low shot to the bottom left corner. In the middle of his two goals, forward Mao Hosoya also put his name on the scoreboard, doubling Japan’s lead in the 65th minute.