U23 Vietnam wins against U23 Syria
(Baonghean.vn) - The quarter-final match of the 2018 Asiad between Syria and Vietnam was exciting. Van Toan excellently scored the only goal in extra time.
Live report
Vietnam - SyriaDinh Trong returns after injury
The Hanoi FC midfielder has recovered in time to return after missing the match against Bahrain. This player will join Duy Manh and Tien Dung to form a trio in defense.
Up front, Ha Duc Chinh replaced his senior Anh Duc in the center forward position. Cong Phuong started from the beginning after three consecutive matches on the bench.
Starting lineup
Vietnam: Tien Dung, Dinh Trong, Duy Manh, Tien Dung, Van Thanh, Quang Hai, Duc Huy, Van Hau, Cong Phuong, Van Quyet, Duc Chinh.
Syria:Madnya Ahmad, Alhamwi Youssef, Busmar Jihad, Kurdaghli Khaled, Al Shuayb Hussein, Ashkar Ahmad, Anez Mouhamad, Almarmour Mohammad, Al Ahmad, Albaher Mahmood, Barakat Rahman.
The Vietnamese flag fluttered before the match. Photo:Nhat Quang
Vietnamese fans stir up the stands at Patriot Chandrabhaga Stadium. Photo:Duc Dong.
Vietnamese players warm up before the match. Photo:Lam Thoa.
Goalkeeper Tien Dung has yet to concede a goal at the 2018 Asiad. Photo:Lam Thoa.
The Vietnamese flag appeared
The flag was hung on the side of the Vietnamese fans' stands. Photo:Nhat Quang
Vietnamese fans arrive at Patriot Chandrabhaga Stadium
A large number of Vietnamese fans on the field. Photo:Nhat Quang
What the two coaches said
Coach Park Hang-seo in a training session before the match day. Photo:Lam Thoa.
Coach Park Hang-seo: "Syria keeps saying they will only bring young players to this Asian Games, but that's just a smokescreen, it's not true. Besides the 16 players who participated in the U23 Asian Cup in China earlier this year, they added three players over 23 years old, and only one completely new player."
"With such personnel, I believe they are much stronger than when they drew 0-0 with Vietnam at the end of the group stage of the U23 Asian Cup earlier this year. Of course, at this stage, any opponent is difficult to play, but I rate Syria as Vietnam's strongest opponent since the beginning of the tournament."
Coach Alfakeer Muhannad admits he is at a disadvantage compared to Vietnam. Photo:Lam Thoa.
Coach Alfakeer Muhannad: "Syria must play a balance between attack and defense. If we risk attacking, it will be unsafe against a strong opponent like Vietnam. My players must be patient, endure and wait for the opportunity. If we make a mistake, Vietnam will not give us a chance to correct it."
"At the U23 Asian Cup finals, Syria controlled the situation on the pitch but failed to score. The 0-0 draw eliminated us and Vietnam later won the silver medal. But the situation is different now, we face each other in a knockout match. I believe we have a chance to win."
Vietnam struggled to draw 0-0 with Syria at the U23 Asian Cup. Photo:Mr. Khoa.
Expected lineup
Head to head statistics
Vietnam’s national teams have faced Syria four times. The two teams drew two matches and each won one. In all four times, no match had more than two goals.
Friendly 2005: Vietnam 0-0 Syria
Asian Cup 2011: Vietnam 0-1 Syria
Friendly 2016: Vietnam 2-0 Syria
U23 Asia: Vietnam 0-0 Syria
