Vietnam team lost to Indonesia, officially stopped at Asian Cup 2023

Before entering the second match of Group D of the 2023 Asian Cup, the Vietnamese team had to accept defeat against the Japanese team on the opening day with a score of 2-4. However, coach Philippe Troussier and his team still deserve to receive praise, even from their opponents, when the yellow star warriors showed good ball control and defense organization.

Meanwhile, Vietnam’s opponent in the second round, Indonesia, lost to Iraq 1-3 on the opening day. Therefore, Vietnam and Indonesia must fight each other in this match to hope to win a spot for the third-placed team with the best record. The only condition to open the door of hope is to win. In addition to the 3-point result, a draw means that both teams must return home after the group stage, because it is very difficult to win in the last round, although in theory it is still possible.

That determination was breathed into the feet of coach Shin Tae Yong's students. As soon as the ball rolled, Indonesia, with their aggressive and proactive high-pressing style of play, caused a lot of trouble for the Vietnamese team's defense. In the first minute, Indonesia had a chance to score when Struick accelerated to receive a pass from his teammate and then entered the penalty area before finishing, but the ball was right in the position of Nguyen Filip, so this goalkeeper easily blocked it.

In the 37th minute, it seemed like Vietnam's net was about to shake after Walsh's header. However, goalkeeper Nguyen Filip was able to dive to save Vietnam.

After a series of opportunities, Indonesia finally got what they needed in the 42nd minute of the match. Center back Thanh Binh clearly pulled Rafael Struick's shirt from behind and the referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot. Despite discussions with the VAR team, the decision to award the penalty remained unchanged. Captain Asnawi Mangkualam took the responsibility of taking the penalty and Nguyen Filip was easily defeated. The Indonesian team temporarily led the Vietnamese team with a score of 1-0.

Also in the first 45 minutes of the match, the Vietnamese team created very few opportunities towards Ernando's goal. The only dangerous situation that coach Troussier's students created came in the 32nd minute. Minh Trong crossed the ball from the left for Xuan Manh to head, but the ball was not strong and dangerous enough, and was caught by goalkeeper Ernando.

Entering the second half, determined to turn the game around, coach Troussier immediately replaced two players when Thanh Long and Van Khang entered the field to replace Thai Son and Tuan Hai.

That change immediately took effect when in the 48th minute, Khuat Van Khang boldly broke into the opponent's penalty area, before finishing with his left foot, the ball grazed an Indonesian player and changed direction, but still could not beat goalkeeper Ernando.

Four minutes later, the midfielder from Viettel had another chance to equalize for Vietnam. Van Khang dribbled skillfully in the Indonesian penalty area and then fired a left-footed shot that went wide of Ernando’s goal.

Bad luck continued to haunt the Vietnamese players when in the 55th minute, from Minh Trong's cross, Tuan Anh rushed in to receive the ball in an open position but sent the ball over the bar, missing the chance to equalize for the home team.

Missing many opportunities in the second half, the Vietnamese team had to accept defeat against Indonesia, officially losing hope of passing the group stage of the 2023 Asian Cup./.