Vietnam U23 team wins a thrilling match against Kyrgyzstan.

Fifteen minutes into the match, the Kyrgyzstan U23 team played quite confidently. The Central Asian representatives had two shots on goal, but neither hit Tran Trung Kien's net.

After a slow start, the Vietnam U23 team unexpectedly accelerated. In the 14th minute, the referee awarded a penalty to the red-shirted team after seeing number 16 shoot at Le Phat inside the penalty area. From 11 meters, Khuat Van Khang calmly struck the ball into the far corner, deceiving the opposing goalkeeper.

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Vietnam U23 were awarded their second penalty of the tournament. Photo: VFF.

A few minutes later, another opportunity arose for Van Khang. The number 11 of the Vietnam U23 team took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but the ball went straight to goalkeeper Nurlanbekov, who was already in position.

In the 36th minute, the Vietnam U23 team confidently combined against the Kyrgyzstan defense. Xuan Bac unleashed a decisive shot from just outside the 16.5-meter line, but the ball went just wide of the post.

Despite dominating the game, the Vietnam U23 team unexpectedly conceded a goal in the 44th minute. Following a misplaced pass from Hieu Minh, Marlen Murzakhmatov comfortably controlled the ball and unleashed a powerful shot from outside the penalty area, giving Trung Kien no chance to save it. The defenders in red shirts played somewhat carelessly and failed to closely mark the number 20 striker in this play.

The first half ended with disappointment as the Vietnam U23 team couldn't maintain their lead due to a momentary lapse in concentration. Dinh Bac has changed his clothes and is likely to be brought on in the second half.

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Vietnam U23 played well in the first half.

At the start of the second half, the Vietnam U23 team had several good opportunities to regain the lead. Le Phat calmly dribbled past the opposing defender, but his shot lacked the power to beat the goalkeeper. Shortly after, Le Phat set up Thai Son for a shot from just outside the 16.5-meter line. The goalkeeper was helpless, but the ball went wide of the goal.

In the 63rd minute, the Vietnam U23 team made three substitutions. Dinh Bac, Quoc Cuong, and Van Thuan were brought onto the field with the goal of scoring a second goal.

In the 78th minute, Van Thuan attempted a breakthrough into the penalty area, but as he was about to shoot, he was pushed down by Datsiev, the opposing team's captain and central defender. VAR intervened and determined that the contact between the number 4 player and the defender was legitimate.

Van Thuan didn't have to regret it for long. In the 87th minute, the player, who had been brought on from the bench by coach Kim Sang-sik, had a header from close range. The ball deflected off Brauzman's foot, changing direction and going into the net, leaving the goalkeeper helpless. Corner kicks continued to be a dangerous weapon for the young Vietnamese players under the guidance of coach Kim Sang-sik.

The final whistle blew, bringing overwhelming joy to the Vietnam U23 team and tears to the Kyrgyzstan players. Vietnam U23 defeated a Central Asian team for the first time and is highly likely to secure their place in the knockout stage, while Kyrgyzstan became the first team to be eliminated from the tournament in Saudi Arabia.

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