Asian press encourages Vietnam national football team after opening match defeat

Despite losing 2-3 to Iraq in the last minute, the Vietnamese team still received encouragement and praise from the international media.

Fox Sports Asia headlined "Vietnam's dream shattered by Iraq after losing 90th minute goal".

Vietnam played explosively in the first half.

Writer Gabriel Tan reported: "Despite losing 2-3, the Vietnamese team still had a brave performance, bringing many emotions to the audience with explosive scoring moments.

Facing an Iraq team that was rated higher in many aspects, coach Park Hang Seo and his team still played with great enthusiasm, especially in the first half with very effective direct attacks.

AFP news agency said that "an unnecessary foul at the end of the match made the Vietnamese team pay a heavy price against Iraq".

They continued to observe: "After a sublime first half, coach Park Hang-seo's team lost focus at some points. Iraq was not much better than their opponents but knew how to take advantage of opportunities to win all 3 points."

India's Goal page also expressed regret for the efforts of the Vietnamese players: "After the brilliant success at the AFF Cup 2018, the Vietnamese team entered the match with confidence, without any fear against Iraq, who were superior in terms of physique and physical strength.

Iraq punished mistakes under the Vietnamese defense.

Creating an exciting score chase, Ali Adnan punished Nguyen Phong Hong Duy's mistake with a brilliant free kick to bring victory to the representative of West Asia.

The National newspaper of the host country UAE described: "Iraq coach Katanec had to go through many different emotions in the opening match. The first half was a terrible performance by the 2007 Asian Cup champion.

However, things gradually changed after the break, when the Slovenian strategist asked his students to attack strongly. Their efforts brought a comeback but deserved victory.

Review of Vietnam's goals against Iraq

(Baonghean.vn) - At the end of the first half of the match, Vietnam unexpectedly led Iraq with a score of 2-1.