CATEGORIES

© Copyright 2004; Hanoitimes - Economic and Urban Newspaper;

The tribune of Hanoi People’s Committee

Publication Permit: 29/GP-CBC

Editor - in - Chief: Nguyen Thanh Loi

Managing Editor: Ta Thu Giang

Email : thugiang@hanoitimes.vn

Head Office: 21 Huynh Thuc Khang Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi

Branch Office: 221 Tran Phu Street, Ha Dong District, Hanoi

WORDS ON THE STREET 70th anniversary of Hanoi's Liberation Day Vietnam - Asia 2023 Smart City Summit Hanoi celebrates 15 years of administrative boundary adjustment 12th Vietnam-France decentrialized cooperation conference 31st Sea Games - Vietnam 2021 Covid-19 Pandemic
Home / Arts & Entertainment
Despite loss, Vietnam awaits U23 team as national heroes
Ngoc Thuy 19:39, 2018/01/27
Uzbekistan defeated Vietnam with substitute Andrey Sidorov scoring the decisive goal in the final minute of the extra time to become the champions of the AFC U23 Championship 2018.
The game looked destined to go into another penalty shootout before Sidorov successfully converted a corner with his first touch of the game at the 120th minute, after the regular time ended in 1-1.
 
Despite being beaten in the final, Vietnam can still hold their heads high returning home.
In heavy snowy conditions at the Changzhou Olympic Sports Center, it was the Uzbek team that got off to a dream start, when Rustamjon Ashurmatov stooped low to meet DostonbekKhamdamov’s corner with an emphatic header in the 8th minute. 

Vietnam, however, continued in high spirits and Nguyen Quang Hai equalized four minutes before the halftime with a sublime freekick from the edge of the box. 

After a delayed restart to allow a layer of snow to be removed from the pitch, Uzbekistan once again seized the momentum with Javokhir Sidikov forcing Tien Dung into a smart save in the 54th minute, before Zabikhillo Urinboev wasted a great chance with the ball blazing just over the post from the rebound from six yards out.

Moments later, Tien Dung, the hero of Vietnam’s semi-finals win against Iraq, reacted well to deny Sidikov from six yards, before the Uzbek captain Zabikhillo Urinboev fizzed a shot wide of the left-hand corner at 70 minutes. 

In the last meaningful action of normal time, Urinboev could, and very possibly should, have won the match for the Central Asians, but the striker inexplicably lashed the ball over the bar from eight yards after Tien Dung had deflected Akramjon Komilov’s cross into his path.

Urinboev’s miss mattered little in the end though, as Sidorov applied an expert finish to Khamdamov's last corner to steal the title for Uzbekistan and break Vietnamese hearts on a day of high drama.

The final game of the tournament has brought the curtain down on a remarkable campaign for Vietnam, one which will undoubtedly live long in the memories of Vietnamese fans and the Southeast Asian nation’s supporters. 

Previously, Vietnam has beaten all odds and surpassed all expectations to reach the finals of the AFC U23 Championship, becoming the first team in the history of Southeast Asia to get so far in the championship. 

Despite having been defeated in the finals, the Vietnamese players can hold their heads high and return home as national heroes. They are expected to receive the largest welcome ever prepared from the home fans at My Dinh National Stadium on January 28. 
Comments
Other news
22:46, 2025/01/11
Hanoi celebrates Lunar New Year with dazzling drone light show
The capital is ready to ring in 2025 with a spectacular display of light, music, and culture.
22:02, 2025/01/06
Prime Minister sets vision for Vietnamese football: Asian glory and World Cup dreams
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hopes Vietnam's football team will win the Asian title and qualify for the World Cup.
16:23, 2025/01/06
A glimpse of the 24K gold Lunar New Year 2025 Snake Mascot
As the Year of the Snake draws near in 2025, this revered creature takes on a special significance, symbolizing prosperity, smooth transitions and success for the coming year.
01:53, 2025/01/06
Vietnam crown AFF Cup 2024 following a thrilling win over Thailand
The Vietnamese national football team defeated Thailand at Rajamangala Stadium with a 5-3 aggregate score to claim the AFF Cup 2024 championship.
16:03, 2025/01/03
Hanoi recreates unique ritual of Thai ethnic minority
The distinctive cultural practice of the Thai ethnic minority is being re-enacted in Hanoi, offering visitors a chance to experience this fascinating tradition until January 31.
16:47, 2025/01/02
Hanoi announces entry fees for historic sites
Starting today, January 2, two historical landmarks in Hanoi's Old Quarter will charge admission to raise funds for the preservation of the city's cultural heritage.