Losing the sub-index, U20 Vietnam regretfully stopped at the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2023
U20 Vietnam played very hard and had opportunities but still had to lose 1-3 against Iran U20. Coach Hoang Anh Tuan’s team had the same 6 points as Iran and Australia, but lost in the sub-index and had to bid farewell to the AFC U20 Asian Cup after the group stage.
08/03/2023 09:31:01
Head coach Hoang Anh Tuan surprised in the start list against Iran, when he didn’t use Van Truong and Quoc Viet, the heroes who helped U20 Vietnam defeat Australia and Qatar. It seems that he wants to focus entirely on the defensive in the first half, aiming for a beneficial result. That intention was clearly shown when U20 Vietnam played with a low line in the home field and ensured safety.
U20 Iran has rushed to attack right from the time the ball rolled. Their physical advantage along with the ability to develop the ball well on the edge helped them create a superior game. The players of coach Hoang Anh Tuan played with great effort and they refused the finishing of Amin Hazbavi or Safari. At the most difficult moment, Thanh Nhan had a ball over two Iranian players and U20 Vietnam was awarded a free kick. Unfortunately for U20 Vietnam, Khuat Van Khang’s kick hit the post and hit the opponent’s goalkeeper.
Only controlling the ball about 23%, but U20 Vietnam always knows how to make the opponent be wary. In the 30th minute, after Dinh Bac’s pass, Bui Vi Hao had just launched a kick that goalkeeper Zarei had to work hard to block. After denied opportunities, the net of U20 Vietnam shook after a set-piece in the 36th minute. Midfielder Amin Hazbavi headed to open the score for U20 Iran.
This goal forced coach Hoang Anh Tuan to make adjustments with Van Truong and Quoc Viet. Those changes brought prosperity and U20 Vietnam played more coherently when Van Khang was pushed closer to the opponent’s goal. In the 56th minute, from the right side of Hong Phuc stretched horizontally, Van Truong missed the ball and Khuat Van Khang rushed in like a machine, scoring a 1-1 equalizer for U20 Vietnam.
Unfortunately, the remaining 30 minutes, the players of coach Hoang Anh Tuan were no longer able to guarantee their physical strength. They constantly lose in face-to-face situations. In the 75th minute, Eslamtabad easily overcame Duc Anh before returning to Saharkhizan to raise the score to 2-1. After the goal, U20 Vietnam continued to bring in new players and play all in.
The efforts and fighting will of Vietnamese young men are admirable. In fact, they also had remarkable scoring opportunities, such as Quoc Viet being unable to beat goalkeeper Adib Zarei in the face-to-face phase or after that, Van Khang’s dangerous suspension was missed by the goalkeeper of Iran. Unable to get a goal to win back the chance from the opponent, U20 Vietnam had to concede the 3rd goal. Hosseinnezhad’s goal ended it all. Losing 1-3 to U20 Iran, coach Hoang Anh Tuan’s team had to bid farewell to the 2023 AFC U20 Asian Cup, but U20 Vietnam still has the right to be proud of the past performances in the tournament in Uzbekistan!
