The Vietnam team made a strong impression in their opening match against championship candidate Japan
The Vietnam team made a strong impression in the opening match against championship candidate Japan in the framework of the 2023 Asian Cup. Coach Philippe Troussier’s players excellently took a 2-1 lead against Japan and only suffered lost when the reigning Asian runner-up, with the shine of the stars, came back to win the final 4-2.
15/01/2024 10:34:56
Japan soon scored a goal in the 11th minute thanks to Minanino. Despite being behind, coach Philippe Troussier’s players still calmly deployed the game. In the 15th minute, receiving a corner kick on the left wing, Hung Dung made a pass to the near post for Dinh Bac to surprisingly head back. The ball rolled and poured into the far corner, causing goalkeeper Suzuki to give up.
After this equalizer, Japan team had to play more cautiously. They no longer create constant pressure but play slowly and steadily. In the 23rd minute, Minamino controlled and turned around to send the ball wide of the post. Nearly 10 minutes after this situation, Dinh Bac jumped at full speed, causing Sugawara to foul. From the free kick, Viet Anh had a dangerous header. Goalkeeper Suzuki pushed the ball away, but Tuan Hai rushed in and kicked the ball to increase the score to 2-1 for Vietnam. A real shock at Al Thumama Stadium because in their wildest dreams, not many people dared to think of a scenario where Coach Philippe Troussier’s team would lead the Japanese “big man”.
However, the Championship candidate showed their level by scoring 2 goals at the end of the first half to turn the situation around. In the 44th minute, Endo poked the ball for Minamino to escape and finish into the far corner, equalizing the score 2-2 for Japan. Minute 45+5, Nakamura scored from the edge of the penalty area to help Japan take a 3-2 lead against Vietnam.
In the second half, the Japan team continued to push their team to attack against Vietnam. However, coach Philippe Troussier’s players still played very resiliently and created a tight match, causing many difficulties for their opponents. However, with the class of the top star, Japan still has more goals. The one who set the score 4-2 was Ueda. It is worth mentioning that this is a situation where Vietnam lost someone when Viet Anh had to lie on the field after a collision.
Receiving defeat against an opponent considered to have superior qualifications is not surprising, but what the Vietnam team has shown still deserves praise. In particular, for the first time in history, the Vietnam team twice made the net of the top team on the continent vibrate in an official match of the Asian arena.
