Qualifiers – Group C: Vietnam denied perfect finish by Singapore
Vietnam had to settle for a 2-2 draw with Singapore in their final AFC U23 Asian Cup™ 2024 Qualifiers Group C tie on Tuesday.
13/09/2023 09:08:54
Singapore fought back twice to force the draw against an already-qualified Vietnam while Yemen kept their hopes of advancing as one of the four best second-placed teams with a 5-1 win over Guam.
Vietnam 2-2 Singapore
Vietnam’s Philippe Troussier made eight changes to the side that beat Yemen on Matchday Two, giving match opportunities to the fringe players after having secured qualification on Saturday.
Vietnam had the first meaningful impact in the game after just 13 minutes, Singapore keeper Aizil Yazid brought down Bui Vi Hao inside the box and Nguyen Dinh Bac put away the subsequent spot-kick with consummate ease.
Singapore improved after the break and qualised in the 58th minute when Muhammad Nur Adam’s corner kick was headed into his own goal by Nguyen Huu Nam.
Huu Nam made amends in the 77th minute, slamming in a loose ball after Singapore failed to clear from a corner kick, giving Vietnam the lead for the second time in the match.
But Singapore showed resilience, equalising in the 85th minute when Zikos Chua finished off a quick counter attacking move.
Yemen 5-1 Guam
It took Yemen only 65 seconds from the first blow of the referee’s whistle to take the lead as Hamzah Mahross snuck in at the far post to guide the ball in.
It took Yemen only 65 seconds from the first blow of the referee’s whistle to take the lead as Hamzah Mahross snuck in at the far post to guide the ball in.
A quick interchange of passes created space for Mohammed Al Qashmi to smash home the second for Yemen in the 17th minute but Micah Thomas reduced the deficit in the 23rd minute, rifling a shot to the roof of the net from just inside the box.
Yemen reestablished their control of the game just two minutes later, Gaseem Al Sharafi showing terrific skill to beat his marker before finding the back of the net.
Guam could have pulled another goal back if not for a brilliant save by Abdullah Abdulhakim from Oz Rocca’s penalty in the 38th minute.
Source: AFC
