Vietnam secured a historic point to round off their AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ Group B campaign after surviving a second-half onslaught to earn a 1-1 draw against FIFA World Cup-bound Japan at Saitama Stadium on Tuesday.
Japan vs Vietnam during their Asian Qualifiers – Group B match at Saitama Stadium 2002 on March 29, 2022 in Saitama, Japan. Photo by Ryosuke Kikuchi / Power Sport Images for the AFC
Japan vs Vietnam during their Asian Qualifiers – Group B match at Saitama Stadium 2002 on March 29, 2022 in Saitama, Japan. Photo by Ryosuke Kikuchi / Power Sport Images for the AFC
After defeating Australia on Thursday to confirm their place at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, Japan knew a win would guarantee they finish on top of the standings, but they fell behind inside 20 minutes when Nguyen Thanh Binh headed in to stun the home support.
Maya Yoshida levelled proceedings early in the second half but, despite a host of chances and two disallowed goals, the Samurai Blue were unable to bring the curtain down on their group stage with a seventh successive win.
The result means Japan will fall to second in the standings should Saudi Arabia defeat Australia in Jeddah later on Tuesday, while Vietnam finish bottom of Group B after what has been their maiden appearance in the final round of AFC Asian Qualifiers.
Japan vs Vietnam during their Asian Qualifiers – Group B match at Saitama Stadium 2002 on March 29, 2022 in Saitama, Japan. Photo by Ryosuke Kikuchi / Power Sport Images for the AFC
Hajime Moriyasu made nine changes from the side that beat the Socceroos, with only captain Yoshida and Miki Yamane retaining their places, while there were starts for Thursday’s match-winner Kaoru Mitoma and Takefusa Kubo.
Vietnam head coach Park Hang-seo drafted in Nguyen Cong Phuong for the injured Nguyen Tien Linh and Thanh Binh took the place of suspended centre-back Nguyen Thanh Chung.
And the two incoming players combined for the Southeast Asians to take a surprise lead in the 19th minute when Cong Phuong’s corner from the left was headed home by Thanh Binh from inside the six yard box for his first international goal.
Japan vs Vietnam during their Asian Qualifiers – Group B match at Saitama Stadium 2002 on March 29, 2022 in Saitama, Japan. Photo by Ryosuke Kikuchi / Power Sport Images for the AFC
Japan debutant Reo Hatate had a pair of chances to level shortly after, first dragging a shot wide from 15 yards before heading over after some delightful trickery and a pinpoint cross from Kubo on the right.
The hosts had another chance 10 minutes before the interval when Genki Haraguchi controlled a pass from Gaku Shibasaki before drilling just wide of Tran Nguyen Manh’s post from 20 yards out as Japan cranked up the pressure.
Moriyasu’s side came close again five minutes before half-time when Mitoma sent Ayase Ueda through, but the Kashima Antlers striker saw his goalbound effort expertly blocked by Que Ngoc Hai before Kubo headed another chance into the hands of Nguyen Manh as the visitors held on to lead at the break.
Japan vs Vietnam during their Asian Qualifiers – Group B match at Saitama Stadium 2002 on March 29, 2022 in Saitama, Japan. Photo by Ryosuke Kikuchi / Power Sport Images for the AFC
Japan’s top scorer Junya Ito was brought on ahead of the second half as the hosts sought a way back into the game, but it was from an unlikely source that the equaliser arrived in the 54th minute.
Yoshida intercepted a ball just inside his own half, advanced forward and fed Mitoma on the left and he found Haraguchi, whose shot from the edge of the area was fumbled by Nguyen Manh, allowing the skipper – who’d continued his run up the pitch – to prod the rebound into the back of the net.
Japan vs Vietnam during their Asian Qualifiers – Group B match at Saitama Stadium 2002 on March 29, 2022 in Saitama, Japan. Photo by Ryosuke Kikuchi / Power Sport Images for the AFC
Ito had his first sight on goal as the hour approached, firing over after some neat link-up play with Ueda, and then Ao Tanaka thought he’d put Japan in front with 20 minutes to play only for the goal to be ruled out after Takumi Minamino unwittingly handled Ueda’s goalbound shot before it landed at the feet of Tanaka.
Yoshida somehow missed a golden opportunity to double his tally when Hidemasa Morita floated a cross towards Haraguchi at the back post and when his header was saved onto the woodwork by Nguyen Manh, the captain unbelievably skewed the rebound wide with the goal at his mercy.
Ueda had a goal ruled out for offside in the final few minutes as the Golden Star Warriors survived to claim just their fourth point of the campaign and first away from home.
