Vietnam and South Korea played out a 1-1 draw in Group C of the ongoing AFC U23 Asian Cup 2022 on Sunday at Lokomotiv Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan thanks to the goal made by a player and his teammates from the Hanoi Football Club.

Vu Tien Long produced a moment of brilliance in the 83rd minute to share the spoils. Photos: AFC

Cho Young Wook opened the score to give Korea the lead in the 63rd minute and Vu Tien Long scored a late equalizer in the 83rd minute.

“The young Golden Star Warriors fully utilized their numerical advantage to press forward and they were rewarded five minutes later when Phan’s cross flashed across the face of goal to find Vu, who unleashed an unstoppable strike to make it 1-1,” AFC reported.

Maintaining the balance in the first half and conceding only 1 goal in the second half, Long’s goal helped Vietnam, runners-up in AFC U23 Asian Cup 2018, very much in the race to advance.

Both teams went into the second match of the tournament with a strong desire to win. South Korea looked sharp from the outset as they pressed high and controlled possession with their quick and accurate passing game inside Vietnam’s half.

However, despite some good build-up play and probing runs, South Korea couldn’t get behind the well-organized Vietnamese defense while Vietnam toiled in search of their feet. 

South Korea continued to be the better side in the second half but poor finishing proved to be their downfall as they wasted a number of good opportunities to break the deadlock. Vietnam was also clever throughout as they used delaying tactics to ensure the match has a stop-start nature and prevent Korea from finding their rhythm on attack. 

Long got the ball in the penalty area and immediately made a high-angle shot, creating a trajectory that was too difficult for goalkeeper Goh Dong-min. Vietnam nearly scored a decisive goal in the fourth extra minute, from a mess in the penalty area.

South Korea U23 has a better squad in all three lines with top stars like Lee Kang-in (Real Mallorca), Hong Hyun-seok (LASK), and Jeong Sang-bin (Grasshoppers). Lee Kang-in is the most prominent name when he made a great contribution to helping Korea U20 reach the final of U20 World Cup 2019 and then win the best player award.

Both sides enter the match with a strong desire to win.

South Korea U23’s Coach Hwang Sun-hong said he was impressed with the way Vietnam was well organized, played defensively and made effective pressing when needed. “I think Gong Oh-kyun did a good job, creating a great team,” the Korean coach praised his compatriot.

Hwang Sun-hong admitted that his squad was passive after losing Lee Jin-yong who was out in the 78th minute after getting a red card. “Today, Korea scored first, but we couldn’t control the game, as evidenced by Lee Jin-yong’s red card. My players were not at their best,” Hwang said at the post-match press conference. 

Lee Jin-yong got his second yellow card for a foul on Nguyen Van Tung in the 78th minute.

“I don’t think Vietnam is lucky to draw this match as the problem facing us. South Korea should have a better response plan after playing with 10 people. We were a bit embarrassed after the red card,” Hwang said. 

The young Taeguk Warriors won all four official matches against Vietnam at the U23 level and Hwang wanted to extend the winning streak to soon win tickets to the next stage.

Vietnam joined the match with high attention to deal with pressure from the defending champions. During the game, Hwang’s players held the ball 70% and finished 24 shots, including five on target. The excellence of the Vietnamese defense line, with the contributions by the pair of central defenders Thanh Binh – Viet Anh and goalkeeper Van Chuan, helped the team strong against the opponent forwards.

“I have no plans to draw South Korea. I always encourage my players to go into the game with the winning target. I tell the boys to challenge themselves, fight and win,” Gong said, adding that “Korea is very strong. But Vietnamese players run more and make more efforts.”

Sharing in the post-match speech, Gong said his players are confident in training. “I just try to give them that sentiment. Before the game, I told my players to surprise and they did.”

Pheng Putmetrey from Cambodia commented on AFC Asian Cup Fangage “Vietnam did very well against strong teams in Asia. They are getting stronger and stronger!” “Holding Korea to a draw is not easy! Well done Vietnam!”

Vietnam will face Malaysia on June 8 in their final group tie while South Korea will meet Thailand for their decisive match on the same day. After two matches, South Korea and Thailand both bag four points.