FIFA World Cup 2022 Asian 3rd Qualifier: Group B: Vietnam 0-1 Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia will go into 2022 on top of Group B after a 1-0 victory over Vietnam at My Dinh Stadium on Tuesday made it five wins from six games in their AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar campaign.
17/11/2021 01:55:57
Vietnam went into the match aiming to pick up their first points in Group B, while Saudi Arabia were looking to get back to winning ways after their goalless stalemate with Australia last Thursday.
The visitors missed a golden opportunity to open the scoring in the fourth minute when the unmarked Al Shehri at the back post headed wide from just a few yards out after being teed up by Fahad Al Muwallad’s cross from the right.
But the striker made amends for his miss in the 31st minute and again it was Al Muwallad the provider as he sent a lovely delivery from the byline towards Al Shehri, whose looping header just edged over the line despite the best efforts of goalkeeper Bui Tan Truong.
The goal appeared to calm any Saudi nerves as they began to spray the ball around with confidence and the Green Falcons almost doubled their advantage early in the second half.
Captain Salman Al Faraj slipped in Nasser Al Dawsari down the left and his first-time cross was stabbed goalwards by his namesake Salem Al Dawsari, but Tan Truong was equal to the challenge as he got down low to deny the Al Hilal SFC man.
Renard’s team continued to push for the two-goal cushion and were denied by the woodwork in the 57th minute when Mohammed Al Burayk’s deep cross from the right was headed onto the top of the bar by Ali Al Bulayhi.
Vietnam had a rare sight of goal midway through the second half but skipper Que Ngoc Hai volleyed wide from 15 yards after Nguyen Cong Phuong’s floated free-kick into the box.
Saudi Arabia then thought they had added the all-important second with 15 minutes to play but the goal was ruled out after Firas Al Buraikan was adjudged to have fouled defender Nguyen Thanh Chung before playing across goal for Al Muwallad to tap home.
Park’s side threw everything forward in the final few minutes and had their best chance of the game in stoppage time when Phan Van Duc blazed wide from a narrow angle after Ha Duc Chinh chested into his path as the Saudis held out for the three points.
The teams will return to AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar action in late January, when the Saudis host Oman and Vietnam take on Australia.
Source: AFC
