Vietnam produced more shots in the opening half, with Le Minh Binh hitting the crossbar from long range. However, the distraction in the defence forced them to concede a goal a few minutes before halftime.

Caption: Vietnam (in red) stop in the quarter-final of the 2022 AFC U23 Asian Cup.

Saudi Arabia capitalised on this advantage to add a second after the break to set up an exciting semi-final clash with Australia.

Vietnam started the match quite well and surprised the Saudi Arabians in the second minute when Tran Danh Trung sent a delightful cross into the path of Le Minh Binh, who just failed to connect with a diving header.

Gong Oh-kyun’s side threatened again in the 11th minute with Nham Manh Dung firing a low drive into the side netting from an acute angle.

Vietnam were denied by the crossbar as Le Minh Binh saw his long-range effort rebound off the woodwork in the 35th minute.

Saudi Arabia then put up pressure and got off the mark in the 41st minute with Al Harbi bursting down the left before firing a low effort past goalkeeper Quan Van Chuan.

After the break, Vietnam intensified their attacks seeking to equalise, but only to see their hope of a comeback dealt a big blow in the 65th minute when Al Harbi provided a cross for Al Brikan to head home from close range to seal a 2-0 victory and a semi-final berth for Saudi Arabia.

The three other semi-finalists include Japan, Uzbekistan and Australia.

SEA Games 31: Vietnam U23s play out goalless draw against the Philippines

Vietnam U23s wasted the chance to snatch Group A’s top spot from the Philippines as the two teams played out a goalless draw in their second match within the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games men’s football event on the evening of May 8.

SEA Games 31: Vietnam U23s demonstrate power with 3-0 rout of Indonesia U23s

Vietnam U23s proved themselves as the favourites for the title by convincingly defeating Indonesia U23s 2-0 in the Group A campaign of the SEA Games 31 men’s football event at Viet Tri Stadium in the northern province of Phu Tho on May 6 evening.

SEA Games 31: Vietnam names 20 players of men’s U23 football squad

Head coach Park Hang-seo on May 4 named a final squad of 20 players for the upcoming 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31).

U23 team to have two friendly matches with U20 RoK before SEA Games 31

Vietnam’s U23 team will have two friendly matches with the U20 team of the Republic of Korea (RoK) before the start of the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31), according to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF).

Vietnam’s U23 team to face Iraq, Croatia at 2022 Dubai Cup

Vietnam’s U23 team is to play Iraq and Croatia at the 2022 Dubai Cup, which is a friendly tournament scheduled to take place later this March in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Source: NDO