Indonesia and Vietnam share points in the first leg of the AFF Cup 2022 semi-final

Tens of thousands of Indonesian fans came to Bung Karno Stadium to cheer on their team. Photo: Hai Hoang

The first semi-final ofAFF Cup 2022between Indonesia and Vietnam took place at Bung Karno Stadium (Indonesia's home stadium). This stadium has a capacity of more than 77,000 seats, but to ensure security, the organizers decided to only welcome less than 50,000 people to watch the match. At the same time, Vietnamese fans were arranged in Zone 8, Sector 28/9 and entered and exited through a separate door. This move was made to avoid the overexcitement of some home team fans.

Before the match, although he knew he would face great pressure from the stands, coach Park still declared: "We have prepared carefully mentally and physically. Indonesia is a difficult team to play against, but Vietnam is capable of winning."

Only a few Vietnamese fans entered Bung Karno Stadium to cheer for Coach Park's students. Photo: Hai Hoang

Given the importance of the match, the Vietnamese team's coach fielded the strongest squad available. Only Tan Tai was absent, replaced by Van Thanh. The two Nghe stars, Que Ngoc Hai and Van Duc, were placed in their best positions.

As expected, Coach Park chose a 3-5-2 formation and prioritized ball control. This style of play disrupted the home team's preemptive attack. Under coach Shin Tae-yong, Indonesia often organized a series of attacks right from the opening whistle and quickly created a lead. However, the mobility and flexibility of Van Duc, Quang Hai, Hoang Duc, and Hung Dung helped Vietnam control the ball up to more than 70%.

Quang Hai had the first chance of the match. Photo: Hai Hoang

That helped coach Park's students own the first chance of the match. Quang Hai received the ball from Hung Dung, the player playing for Paul, fired a half-bounce shot, but the ball flew higher than the home team's goal.

After a period of confusion at first due to Vietnam's superior ball control, Indonesia gradually regained control of the game and caused many difficulties for the visitors' defense. The right wing, where Duy Manh and Van Thanh participated, was exploited by Indonesia. In the 24th minute, Indonesia created a very dangerous situation. Rizky Ridho passed the ball past Duy Manh to Yakob Sayuri, but this player returned the ball unsuccessfully.

Duy Manh brings many worries to fans. Photo: Hai Hoang

After regaining control of the game, the spirit of coach Shin Tae-yong's players rose. A series of opportunities were created by the home team. In the 35th minute, Duy Manh continued to make mistakes, allowing Sayuri to pass. However, Van Lam's brilliance did not give Indonesian fans a chance to celebrate.

Entering the second half, with the advantage of strength, coach Shin Tae-yong's students often used long passes, falling behind Vietnam's defense, to use speed to rush down to close in on Van Lam's goal. However, with the alertness of Que Ngoc Hai and Bui Tien Dung, the home team's striker could not successfully carry out that intention. It can be said that under coach Shin Tae-yong, Indonesia has played much more methodically and diversely than before. Therefore, it can be affirmed that this is the most difficult match since the beginning of the tournament that the Vietnamese team has faced.

Van Duc was not physically fit so he did not make much of an impression in this match. Photo: Hai Hoang

In the second half, the defense system built by Indonesia and Vietnam was quite tight. Therefore, the opportunities created by the two teams were not many.

Towards the end of the match, coach Park Hang-seo's players showed signs of fatigue and were unable to make the moves they wanted. On the other side of the field, the home team tried to attack with high passes, but goalkeeper Dang Van Lam still kept a clean sheet, and the two teams ended in a draw.

On January 9, the Vietnam and Indonesia teams will play the second leg at My Dinh Stadium./.