U19 Vietnam & U19 Japan (2-3): Chasing the score

In the final group stage match tonight, U19 Vietnam lost to the young players from the land of cherry blossoms in a game with a lead. With this result, Coach Graechen's students will meet Myanmar in the semi-finals.

Despite their determination, U19 Vietnam (in white) could not "pay back the debt" of losing to U19 Japan 7 months ago. Photo: Nhu Y

Facing a high-class opponent who took advantage of their chances, U19 Vietnam had to accept defeat despite opening the score. This result made Guillaume Graechen and his team finish the group stage in 2nd place. They will have to face U19 Myanmar again in the semi-finals.

7 months ago, U19 Vietnam lost 0-7 to U19 Japan in the Ho Chi Minh City Cup. 7 months later, the two teams met again in the U19 Southeast Asia tournament. Things have changed quite a bit. U19 Vietnam has become much more experienced thanks to the continuous competition, not to mention a few quality additions. They are really determined to take revenge against their opponents from the East Asia region.

Right from the first minutes of the match, U19 Vietnam continuously pressed forward, played small coordination and had many attacks in the middle. U19 Japan concentrated a large number of players in front of the 16m50 line and often approached very quickly. But that could not stop the white-shirted boys from finding the opening goal. In the 21st minute, from a very beautiful coordination with his teammates, Van Toan got the ball and made a tricky shot to put U19 Vietnam ahead.

Van Toan's opening goal (9)

Conceding a goal, U19 Japan fought back strongly and created many remarkable situations. But it was not until the beginning of the second half that they were able to equalize. In the 55th minute, substitute Yosuke had a shot from 25 meters away that defeated Minh Toan, bringing the match back to the starting line.

Japan U19 equalized 1-1

U19 Vietnam (white shirt) failed to overcome the Japanese in the final match of the group stage. Photo: Nhu Y.

Towards the end of the match, the two teams played "tit for tat". But while Cong Phuong continuously missed opportunities, the Japanese U19 strikers showed great sharpness.

In the 84th and 87th minutes, Masaomi and Shota helped the yellow team lead 3-1 again.

The score is 2-1 for Japan U19.

Japan U19 raised the score to 3-1.

On the opposite side of the field, it was not until the 90th minute that Cong Phuong could put his name on the scoreboard. Van Toan was fouled in the penalty area, U19 Vietnam was awarded a penalty and number 10 had no difficulty in reducing the score to 2-3 on the 11m mark.

U19 Vietnam shortened the score to 2-3 with a Panenka-style penalty kick by Cong Phuong.

Losing 2-3 in the end, U19 Vietnam still could not "repay the debt" against U19 Japan, and had to accept the second place in the group. However, Coach Guillaume Graechen's students will meet U19 Myanmar - the first team in group A, in the semi-finals.

This is a big challenge for the home team. Not long ago, U19 Myanmar made coach Graechen and his team taste bitter fruit in the final match of U22 Southeast Asia.

Line-up
U19 Vietnam:Minh Toan; Tien Dung, Xuan Hung, Anh Thi, Hong Duy; Xuan Truong, Tuan Anh (Tuan Tai, 75'), Thanh Tung (Van Duc, 67'), Van Long (Minh Vuong, 69'), Cong Phuong, Van Toan.
Japan U19:Nakamura Kosuke; Miura Genta, Yuki, Keisuke, Ochi Yamoto (Genta, 70'), Shota, Masaya, Sakai Daisuke, Takagi Daisuke, Yosuke, Taro (Masaomi, 54').

Summary (TPO, VNE)