Vietnamese players (in red) (Source: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Although Vietnam’s journey at the ongoing 2019 AsianFootball Confederation (AFC) Cup has now ended following a 0-1 defeat to Japanon January 24, the national team and goalkeeper Dang Van Lam in particularearned praises from international media.
In anarticle entitled “Vietnam dream ends as Japan benefit from VAR”, footballwebsite Fox Sports Asia wrote that despite beingunderdogs for the match, Vietnam’s players had shown remarkable determinationin driving the ball forwards.
“TheVietnamese just found themselves with too big a hurdle to overcome against oneof the tournament favourites, as they bowed out following a brave charge,” theauthor, football editor Gabriel Tan, added.
Inparticular, he lauded the performance of Vietnamese goalie Dang Van Lam, saying that he was in excellent form, parrying GenkiHaraguchi’s cross-shot away from the bottom corner, before saving a shot fromTakumi Minamino in a one-on-one situation.
Many newspaperspraised Vietnam’s bravery against Japan in the quarterfinal match. The Sanspo saidJapan faced tough opponents with solid defence. Vietnam were also quick to pulla dangerous counterattack with the noteworthy individual skills of strikerNguyen Cong Phuong, it added.
Meanwhile,Malaysia’s The Star newspaper said Vietnam launched numerous attacks againstJapan throughout the match. Notably, CongPhuong may have had an opportunity to score in the 89th minute as he openedhimself up, unmarked, just outside of the box, however he failed to equalise.-VNA
