Vietnam lose 0-1 to Saudi Arabia in their match in Group B of the final round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers at Hanoi-based My Dinh National Stadium on November 16 evening. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Despite putting up a solid performance, Vietnam stilllost 0-1 to Saudi Arabia in their match in Group B of the final round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers at Hanoi-based My DinhNational Stadium on November 16 evening.
In the 5th minute, Saudi Arabia almost scored after a dangerous cross fromthe right flank. Luckily, there were no player that could touch the ball insidethe box.
One minute later, Vietnam'sNguyen Cong Phuong broke through the defense and made a shot but it didn't hitthe target. Cong Phuong received a yellow card afterhis foul in the midfield in the 8th minute.
In the 11th minute, Vietnam'smain striker Nguyen Tien Linh picked up a long pass from Nguyen Quang Hai andgot a chance to face the keeper, but he was offside.
Vietnam didn't approachthe game defensively as usual. Although Saudi Arabia are still on the frontfoot here, Vietnam are doing well to soak up thepressure and then spring forward dangerously.
In just five minutes, Saudi Arabia keeper Mohammed Al-Rubaie had to blocktwo shots from set-pieces of Vietnam.
In the 22nd minute, Quang Hai dribbled past a midfielder then let it flywith an ambitious effort that never looked likely to go in.
Five minutes later, Tien Linh picked up a long pass again and he wasonce again offside.
After half an hour intothe game, Vietnam committed six fouls while Saudi Arabia had three.
In the 31st minute, across from the right flank found Saleh Al-Shehri as he headed it in. Keeper BuiTan Truong tried to save the ball but it already went over the line.
Saudi Arabia did well to work the ball into the box as attackers dartedalong the goal-line and one of them found the net.
In the 38th minute,Vietnam’s captain Que Ngoc Hai received a yellow card after a heated situationand he will miss the next match. Saudi Arabia captain Salman Al-Faraj alsocopped himself a yellow for fouling Cong Phuong.
There is only one additionalminute in the first half. After the first 45 minutes, Saudi Arabia led Vietnam by onegoal.
Just two minutes into thesecond half, Al-Shehri almost scored again with a tap-in, but keeper Truong wasquick to the action and caught the ball cleanly.
After that, Saudi Arabia increased pressure on Vietnam even though they weretaking the lead.
In the 69th minute, captain Ngoc Hai caught a volley right at the edgeof the box but his bouncing effort went wide of goal.
In the 78th minute, NguyenThanh Chung was robbed of possession and Saudi Arabia netted again with atap-in. However, after reviewing the situation on VAR, the referee called offthe goal as Chung was fouled.
Four minutes later, ThanhChung got a yellow after trying to stop an attack. Freekick for Saudi Arabia.
And three minutes afterwards, the referee gave Nguyen Van Toan a yellow fordiving inside the box.
Four minutes were added to the second half. In the 92nd minute, Phan Van Duc wasput in a comfortable position to shoot, but he didn't hit the target.
Two minutes later, theball found Van Duc's head again from a corner but it didn't go in. That wasalso the last chance for Vietnam in the game.
With this defeat, Vietnam remained at the bottom of Group B after losing all sixmatches, while Saudi Arabia strengthened their top position with 16 points./.
