Midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai made a sumptuous goal in the third minute, openingthe scoreboard. Vietnamshowed their good control of the game in the first half.
In the second half, after a lengthy VAR review, defender Do Duy Manh wasadjudged to have handled the ball in his own penalty area when blocking a shotfrom Saudi captain Salman Al-Faraj.
The decision turned the game on its head, as Manh received his second yellowcard and Vietnam found themselves a man down and on level terms after SalemAl-Dawsari slotted home the penalty.
Down to 10 men, Vietnam rushed to strengthen their defense. Yet they sufferedthe second goal as Yasir Al-Shahrani scored from a header in the 67th minute.
The hosts were awarded the second penalty in the game after Que Ngoc Hai made awrong tackle inside the box. Saleh Al-Shehri raised the scored to 3-1 in the79th minute.
This is Vietnam's first ever game in the final round of World Cupqualification.
They next face Australia at home in Hanoi on September 7./.