On the other side of the front line, U23 Saudi Arabia also had major changes in terms of force. While "conductor" Turki Alammar was injured, central defender, captain Saud Abdulhamid and midfielder Ibrahim Mahnashi had to sit out due to card suspension.

The ball fight between players of the two teams. Photo: Lam Thoa/ Vnexpress

As predicted by experts, two faces from the Saudi Arabian National Team, center back Hassan Tambakti and striker Firas Al-Buraikan, were also named by coach Saad Al-Shehri in the starting lineup. Obviously, the strength of the Saudi Arabian U23 team was not significantly affected.

Right after the Japanese referee blew the whistle, the match became quite exciting. Despite being underestimated, U23 Vietnam was the team that had the first dangerous opportunity with a close-range header by Le Minh Binh, sending the ball straight to the opponent's goalkeeper in the 2nd minute.

Saudi Arabia U23 players celebrate the opening goal. Photo: Lam Thoa/VnExpress

However, it did not take long for U23 Saudi Arabia to take control of the game. In the 12th minute, player number 7 Aiman ​​Yahya Ahmed, in an open position, had a dangerous shot. Fortunately, goalkeeper Quan Van Chuan made an excellent save. This was a situation that showed the danger of the strikers on the side of U23 Saudi Arabia.

In the following minutes, U23 Vietnam not only defended firmly but also created dangerous situations towards goalkeeper Nawap Dhahi Alaqidi's goal. Typically, Le Minh Binh's long-range shot sent the ball bouncing off the crossbar of U23 Saudi Arabia's goal in the 35th minute.

It was thought that the first half would end with a score of 0 - 0, but U23 Saudi Arabia unexpectedly scored a goal to break the deadlock. In the 41st minute, player wearing the number 12 shirt, Moteb Saad Alharbi, had a tricky shot that defeated goalkeeper Quan Van Chuan. A rather unfortunate loss.

Goalkeeper Quan Van Chuan prepares to receive a red card. Photo: Lam Thoa/VnExpress

Entering the second half, with the goal of finding an equalizer, U23 Vietnam made two consecutive substitutions. Nguyen Thanh Nhan and Nguyen Van Tung replaced Le Minh Binh and Tran Danh Trung respectively. However, U23 Vietnam's attacks were easily neutralized by the Saudi Arabian U23 defense.

Unable to score a goal, U23 Vietnam received a "counterattack". In the 65th minute, goalkeeper Quan Van Chuan had to pick the ball out of the net again. In this situation, player Moteb Saad Alharbi cleverly broke the offside trap before making an accurate cross for teammate Firas Al-Buraikan to head the ball to increase the score to 2 - 0.

The second goal made U23 Vietnam's play lack fluidity and sharpness, despite coach Gong Oh-Kyun sending Huynh Cong Den, Le Van Do and Nguyen Hai Long onto the field. Even in the 79th minute, goalkeeper Quan Van Chuan was about to be sent off after a foul on Firas Al-Buraikan.

Due to the fact that he had run out of substitutions, Nham Manh Dung had to take over as goalkeeper for the remaining minutes. However, the net of U23 Vietnam did not shake again. The most notable move was the header of player number 15 Hussain Ahmed Alessa, which hit the crossbar of the goal of the reluctant goalkeeper Nham Manh Dung, which took place in the first minute of extra time.

The match ended with a score of 2 - 0 in favor of U23 Saudi Arabia. Objectively speaking, the opposing team had a worthy victory. As for U23 Vietnam, they also had a match with over 100% effort.

Thanh Hung