QATAR - Although rated much lower, Vietnam scored two goals and together with Japan created the most exciting first half since the beginning of the 2023 Asian Cup.
At Al Thumama Stadium on the evening of January 14, Vietnam (in red) was rated much lower than Japan - the number one team in Asia and currently the team with the best performance
in the world with 10 consecutive victories. However, Japan started the match cautiously and heavily probing, so the pressure on Vietnam in the first 10 minutes was not high.
However, with just one quick move, Japan made a difference. In the 11th minute, from a cross from the left wing, goalkeeper Nguyen Filip pushed the ball away but Japan still controlled the ball.
Center back Ko Itakura let right back Yukinari Sugawara take a powerful shot. Bui Hoang Viet Anh blocked it, but the ball bounced right to Takumi Minamino (number 8), allowing the Japanese striker to connect through a crowd of legs to open the scoring for the defending runners-up.
Five minutes after conceding the goal, Vietnam unexpectedly restored balance. Midfielder Do Hung Dung kicked a left corner kick into the near post for Nguyen Dinh Bac (number 15) to fly and head the ball back, sending it high and then pouring it down the far post to score.
The equalizer helped Vietnam play confidently. In a quick counter-attack, the ball was passed long for striker Pham Tuan Hai to accelerate. Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki had to rush out of the penalty area to clear the danger.
In the 32nd minute, Nguyen Dinh Bac accelerated quickly, causing Yukinari Sugawara to commit a foul and receive a yellow card, while Vietnam took a direct free kick from the left wing.
From here, Phan Tuan Tai hung the ball for Bui Hoang Viet Anh to jump high and head it to the ground, surprising goalkeeper Suzuki and making a poor save.
Pham Tuan Hai (right) quickly swooped in and put the ball into an empty net, putting Vietnam ahead 2-1 in the 33rd minute.
While the team celebrated, coach Philippe Troussier remained calm during both goals. Instead, he conferred with his assistants and gave instructions to the players.
After taking the lead, Vietnam continued to defend tightly but still confidently controlled the ball on their home field if given the chance. The red team's ball possession rate in the first half was 42%.
However, Japan found their rhythm in the last five minutes of play and six minutes of injury time. The “Samurai Warriors” continuously penetrated the flanks or attacked the center, creating dangerous opportunities. In the 45th minute, Wataru Endo passed the ball through a Vietnamese player to Takumi Minamino near the penalty area. The striker born in 1995 continued to put the ball low and looped it past another Vietnamese player, leaving Nguyen Filip helpless, tying the score at 2-2.
Vietnam could not preserve the draw in the third minute of stoppage time. On the left wing, Minamino passed the ball into the penalty area for Keito Nakamura to turn the ball past two players and then curl the ball into the top right corner to increase the score to 3-2, thereby ending a memorable first half for both teams on the opening day of the 2023 Asian Cup.
In the second half, Japan chose to play cautiously, not pushing their formation too high. Vietnam therefore had a lot of possession of the ball but did not have enough physical strength and uniqueness to create a breakthrough.
In the 85th minute, from a central combination, substitute Ayase Ueda received the ball, eliminated the Vietnamese defender and shot into the near corner, sealing a 4-2 victory for Japan.
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