Group B: Vietnam 1-1 UAE
Taif: Hazaa Faisal Madhi’s late equaliser against Vietnam sealed the United Arab Emirates their berth in the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 quarter-finals on Thursday.
11/04/2025 09:22:43
Madhi’s 87th minute effort meant UAE forced a 1-1 draw to finish second in Group B behind defending champions Japan, with Australia missing out despite all three teams concluding on four points. UAE will meet Group A winners Uzbekistan in the quarter-finals.
The final standings were based on points, head-to-head, goal difference and number of goals of the teams tied with Japan having beaten UAE 4-1 in their opener while the West Asian side defeated Australia 2-0 in their encounter.
Vietnam and UAE came into the tie needing victory to confirm a quarter-final berth and also a place at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 with the tie seeing end to end action.
First, it was Suhail Alnoubi Alsuwaidi who came to UAE’s rescue in the 20th minute by clearing Hoang Trong Duy Khang’s shot on the line.
Trong Duy, however, stamped his name as a goalscorer three minutes later, with the midfielder firing home a sweet half-volley from Pham Duc Duy’s right-wing cross.
UAE were struggling to make inroads, with the Vietnam back four comfortably handling the threats.
UAE fashioned their best first-half chance in the 35th minute. Mayed Adel provided a nice lay-off for Mohammad Ahmad Alfalasi in the box, but the playmaker shot wide from a good position.
Two minutes into the restart, Vietnam came close to a second goal but Dau Hong Phong fired just wide from outside the penalty box.
Adel gave Hoa Xuan Tin his first real test in the 51st minute, but the Vietnam goalkeeper was equal to the snapshot that came his way.
UAE tested Xuan Tin again 10 minutes later through Jayden Adetiba, before Salem Esam Yaqoot blasted the rebound high in a crowded penalty box.
Faysal Mohammed Albreiki was next to have go, but saw his shot sail high as Vietnam’s low block did not allow their opponents any genuine opportunity.
Adel had a penalty shout dismissed by the referee shortly after, as UAE’s frustration intensified.
The West Asian side’s persistence, however, paid off in the 87th minute when Madhi bravely headed home from close range after Adetiba did well to direct the ball into the crowded area from a free-kick delivery with the goal taking UAE through to the quarter-finals and FIFA U17 World Cup Qatar 2025.
