AFFU23: Vietnam win crown in fitting finale
Vietnam took their second AFF Under-23 Championship 2023 in two years after beating Indonesia in a fitting finale that went into Extra Time and then the Penalty Shootout here at the Rayong Provincial Stadium.
With the score still tied scoreless at the end of extra time, it was Vietnam who emerged 6-5 victorious in the Penalty Shootout.
“This is my first time to win a championship as the head coach. I am so proud of my players, but more importantly many teams here brought young players to this tournament and this is good for the development of football in the region,” said Vietnam head coach Hoang Anh Tuan.
Both Vietnam and Indonesia did not exactly explode off the block as they remained cautious not to go forward too much and left being exposed at the back.
It was Indonesia who were the early aggressors through the likes of Beckham Putra Nugraha and Mohammad Haykal Alhafiz but none could make it count with the chances created.
Vietnam only came alive at the half-hour mark but the 32nd minute effort from Nguyen Minh Quang came off the post instead.
With Indonesia faring no better at the start of the second half, Vietnam seized the opportunity with several attempts on a trot but again Nguyen Quoc Viet could not find the right finish with his double try.
The script was the same into the Extra Time with both teams trying hard but were just unable to find their way through as it then forced the game into the Penalty Shootout.
Vietnam and Indonesia converted the five initial attempts but for the sixth, Indonesian keeper Ernando Sutaryadi’s try was blocked by Vietnam custodian Quan Van Chuan.
That handed the advantage to Vo Hoang Minh Khoa, who did not miss from the spot to give Vietnam the title this year.
“Ernando is a confident player. And he always took penalties during practice and did well. So please do not condemn him, please support him,” said Indonesia head coach Shin Tae-yong.
VFF President Tran Quoc Tuan attended the final match and encouraged the spirit of coach Hoang Anh Tuan. Sharing joy with the U23 Vietnam after the victory over U23 Indonesia, thereby successfully defending the championship, Mr. Tran Quoc Tuan on behalf of the VFF Standing Committee congratulated the team’s achievements. The Standing Committee also decided to reward the U23 Vietnam with 1 billion VND for the achievement of winning the championship. For the whole tournament, the U23 Vietnam was awarded a total of 1.8 billion VND by VFF after a journey of 4 wins, respectively against U23 Laos (4-1), U23 Philippines (1-0), U23 Malaysia (4 -1) and Indonesia U23 (won on penalties 6-5).
With an excellent performance not only in the final but also throughout the tournament, Quan Van Chuan won the title of Best Goalkeeper at the 2023 AFF U23 Championship.
Midfielder Dinh Xuan Tien received the “Top Scorer” award with Aliff Akmal Rizal of Malaysia U23 with 3 goals scored at this year’s tournament.
VFF President Tran Quoc Tuan, head coach Hoang Anh Tuan, coaching staff and the players of the U23 Vietnam lifted the championship trophy to thank the fan
