Vietnam showed that they had good control of the game in the first half, with Nguyen Quang Hai opening the scoreboard early and his teammates putting up solid defense.

Nguyen Quang Hai celebrates with teammates after opening the scoring for Vietnam.

But the game turned in the second half. A referee decision following VAR review found Do Duy Manh committed a handball. Manh was given a second yellow card, the first one for reacting, believing that he had been fouled in the collision. Manh left the game while Saudi Arabia were awarded a penalty.

Salem Al-Dawsari took the penalty shot and equalized for Saudi Arabia in the 55th minute.

Down to 10 men, Vietnam rushed to strengthen their defense. Yet they suffered the second goal as Yasir Al-Shahrani scored from a header 12 minutes later.

Australia are temporarily leading Group B after the first matchday.

The hosts were awarded the second penalty in the game after Que Ngoc Hai made a wrong tackle inside the box. Saleh Al-Shehri raised the scored to 3-1 in the 79th minute.

This is Vietnam's first ever game in the final round of World Cup qualification.

Their next will be against Australia in Hanoi on Sept. 7.

Vietnam call up goalkeeper Dang Van Lam for World Cup qualifiers

Vietnam head coach Park Hang-seo has decided to summon Cerezo Osaka FC goalkeeper Dang Van Lam for the national squad, aiming to ensure the best preparation for the opening match against Saudi Arabia in the final round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers.

Vietnam to play Australia in World Cup qualifiers without spectators

The final World Cup qualifying round game between Vietnam and Australia on Sept. 7 in Hanoi’s My Dinh National Stadium won’t allow spectators amid Covid-19.

Vaccinated fans allowed to attend Vietnam's World Cup qualifiers

To attend Vietnam’s home games in the final World Cup qualifying round, fans will have to be vaccinated and test negative for Covid-19.

Vietnam’s Group B fixtures in final round of 2022 World Cup Asian Qualifiers

Coach Park Hang-seo’s Vietnamese side will commence their campaign in the final round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers this September with an opening group match against Saudi Arabia.

Vietnam drawn against Japan in final round of World Cup Qualifiers

Vietnam were placed in the same group as Asia’s top-ranked Japan as the draw for the final round of the Asian Qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World cup was held virtually in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 1 afternoon.

Source: VnExpress