AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers – Group I: Vietnam edge Myanmar to make Finals

A 59th-minute header from half time substitute Ho Thanh Minh was enough to settle the group in Vietnam’s favour, while Saudi Arabia’s 3-0 victory in a simultaneous match in Group D meant Myanmar narrowly missed out on reaching Uzbekistan 2022 as one of the four best second-placed teams.

The result also had a major impact on Tajikistan’s campaign, with the Central Asian nation claiming the final best runners-up spot as a direct consequence of Myanmar’s defeat.

Dead level in the group standings at kick-off after both defeating Chinese Taipei by a single goal in their previous matches, the teams knew victory on the day would send them to the Finals as group winners, and there was no lack of desire on either side in the opening 45 minutes.

With Myanmar head coach Velizar Popov absent from the sidelines after his red card on Saturday, Vietnam looked more dangerous in the early exchanges but found themselves unable to fashion any clear-cut chances.

The momentum shifted when Myanmar enjoyed a long stretch of set-pieces after Vietnam repeatedly struggled to clear the ball, but Vietnamese goalkeeper Nguyen Van Toan survived that period without having to make a notable save as the two sides reached half-time deadlocked at 0-0.

Eager to put their place at Uzbekistan 2022 beyond any doubt, Vietnam fired the first warning shot of the second period when Ly Cong Hoang Anh went close with a blistering effort from distance, and they would soon be celebrating the breakthrough goal.

After a string of wasted set-pieces at either end, Vietnam finally capitalised on one, with Thanh Minh confidently heading home captain Nguyen Hai Long’s delivery from the flank to put Park Hang-seo’s side ahead, and Myanmar on the brink of elimination.

But it was Vietnam who continued to attack, with Myanmar goalkeeper Phya Phyo Thu producing an excellent fingertip save to deny Le Van Do in one of several promising attacking moments from the increasingly confident 2018 champions.

In contrast, Myanmar simply weren’t creating enough chances, and their hopes suffered another blow when Aung Wanna Soe was shown a straight red card following an off-the-ball incident with 10 minutes remaining.

Myanmar knew one goal would revive their campaign, but their final chance went begging when Myat Kaung Khant sent a 93rd-minute free-kick into the wall as Vietnam sealed their place in a fourth consecutive AFC U23 Asian Cup.