Group D: Malaysia 0-2 Vietnam
Doha: Vietnam defeated Malaysia 2-0 on Saturday in Group D of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™, with the win confirming their spot in the quarter-finals following Uzbekistan’s 5-0 defeat of Kuwait in the group’s other tie.
22/04/2024 08:55:56
Goals either side of the break gave Vietnam the win, with the Southeast Asian side to face Uzbekistan on Tuesday to decide the group winners in a meeting between the 2018 finalists.
Malaysia, beaten 2-0 by Uzbekistan in their opening match, had a first look at goal after four minutes with Fergus Tierney wriggling his way past the Vietnamese defenders but dragged his shot wide from the edge of the box.
Vietnam responded with a well-worked chance that saw Khuat Van Khang’s cross from the left finding Vo Hoang Minh Khoa in the centre, with the latter’s header forcing Azim Al Amin into a reflex save.
At the other end, Najmudin Akmal took advantage of Nguyen Thai Son’s misplaced back pass but instead of getting closer to the goalmouth, opted to shoot with his attempt sailing high over the bar.
The balanced game finally saw a breakthrough six minutes before half-time when Van Khang sent his left-footed curling free-kick into the top corner to give Vietnam the lead.
Malaysia could have gone into the break level when Luqman Hakim’s lofted pass found Tierney in the sixth minute of added time but the Johor Darul Ta’zim II forward could not get his header on target.
Put under pressure by Malaysia at the restart, Vietnam took a patient approach and looked to hit their opponents on the counter and the tactic was integral to them increasing their lead at the hour mark.
Soaking up the Malaysian attacks, Vietnam hit on the break with substitute Bui Vi Hao beating Muhammad Ubaidullah for pace before being taken down by the defender, forcing referee Mooud Bonyarifard to award a penalty kick which Minh Khoa converted.
Malaysia’s best chance for a consolation came late on from yet another loose Vietnam back pass but, again, Tierney could not hit the target as Vietnam took the points.
Source: AFC
