Vietnamese defender Nguyen Trong Hoang (No. 8), who provided an assist for striker Cong Phuong in Vietnam's match against Jordan on January 20 (Photo: AFP/VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam will faceJapan in the first quarterfinal match of the ongoing AFC Asian Cup 2019, whichwill take place at the Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai of the United Arab Emirates(UAE) on January 24 at 8pm (Vietnam time).
Notably, the Video Assistance Referee (VAR)will be used starting from the tournament’s quarterfinal stages. It will be thefirst time for Vietnam to play in a match with the VAR technology.
Japan reached the quarterfinals afterbeating Saudi Arabia 1-0 on January 21, with a header of defender TakehiroToniyasu in the 20th minute.
Both Japan and Saudi Arabia are consideredheavyweights of the Asian Cup, as Japan were the winners four times and SaudiArabia won the championship thrice.
Previously on January 20, Vietnam advanced to the quarterfinals withpride after a breath-taking shootout with Jordan.
The two sides finished the official 90 minutesof the match with a 1-1 draw, in which Vietnam conceded a goal in the firsthalf and gradually scored an equalizer in the second.
The match saw Vietnam’s dominance with more possession (58 percent – 42percent), shots (18-8), shots on target (7-3) and even corners (8-0). Theexcellent performance by Vietnamese players won praises from commentators offamous sports media like Fox Sports.
Into the extra times, the two sides playedcautiously but by no means dully although the players’ health went downconsiderably. The two coaches sent in their substitutes, apparently preparingfor the shootout.
Saeed of Jordanhit the bar in the second penalty, much to his and his side’s regret. Theirregret even worsened as Vietnam’s goalie Dang Van Lam denied a goal from theJordan side in their third penalty.
Vietnam should have finished the game early butsubstitute Tran Minh Vuong failed to score a goal in the fourth penalty.However, in the last shoot, defender Bui Tien Dung sent the ball to the net tosecure a berth in the quarterfinals for Vietnam.-VNA
Notably, the Video Assistance Referee (VAR)will be used starting from the tournament’s quarterfinal stages. It will be thefirst time for Vietnam to play in a match with the VAR technology.
Japan reached the quarterfinals afterbeating Saudi Arabia 1-0 on January 21, with a header of defender TakehiroToniyasu in the 20th minute.
Both Japan and Saudi Arabia are consideredheavyweights of the Asian Cup, as Japan were the winners four times and SaudiArabia won the championship thrice.
Previously on January 20, Vietnam advanced to the quarterfinals withpride after a breath-taking shootout with Jordan.
The two sides finished the official 90 minutesof the match with a 1-1 draw, in which Vietnam conceded a goal in the firsthalf and gradually scored an equalizer in the second.
The match saw Vietnam’s dominance with more possession (58 percent – 42percent), shots (18-8), shots on target (7-3) and even corners (8-0). Theexcellent performance by Vietnamese players won praises from commentators offamous sports media like Fox Sports.
Into the extra times, the two sides playedcautiously but by no means dully although the players’ health went downconsiderably. The two coaches sent in their substitutes, apparently preparingfor the shootout.
Saeed of Jordanhit the bar in the second penalty, much to his and his side’s regret. Theirregret even worsened as Vietnam’s goalie Dang Van Lam denied a goal from theJordan side in their third penalty.
Vietnam should have finished the game early butsubstitute Tran Minh Vuong failed to score a goal in the fourth penalty.However, in the last shoot, defender Bui Tien Dung sent the ball to the net tosecure a berth in the quarterfinals for Vietnam.-VNA
VNA
