DUBAI • Jordan had not conceded a single goal en route to the round of 16 at the Asian Cup, but Vietnam showed they were far from overawed by their opponents' greater pedigree to triumph 4-2 on penalties after the match finished 1-1 following extra time yesterday.
The Middle Eastern side became the first team to book their place in the knockout stage, beating reigning champions Australia and Syria to win Group B, while the Vietnamese had only squeaked through by virtue of having a superior disciplinary record to Lebanon.
Yet there were no signs of any inferiority complex from Park Hang-seo's Vietnam side as they matched Jordan for effort, with little to separate the teams in a tightly contested match at the Al Maktoum Stadium.
Vital Borkelmans' men, however, opened the scoring in the 39th minute. Their goal was disputable though, with Vietnam having some grounds for grievance.
They were penalised for a high boot, with Jordan being awarded an indirect free kick inside the box. It also looked like Yousef Al-Rawashdeh had touched the ball to tee-up Baha Abdel-Rahman, who lashed it into the roof of the net.
But the AFF Suzuki Cup champions did not let their heads drop.
Going behind galvanised Vietnam and they responded by peppering Amer Shafi's goal, with Do Hung Dung coming closest to breaching the Jordan defence.
And they were rewarded for their tenacity with Nguyen Cong Phuong's volleyed equaliser six minutes after the break.
Nguyen Trong Hoang sent an inviting cross into the area and Phuong got between their backline to flick the ball into the net.
But, while both teams went in search of the winner, neither could find the breakthrough.
In the shoot-out, Jordan fluffed their lines with Baha Faisal hitting the bar, while Dang Van Lam proved to be Vietnam's hero, saving Ahmed Samir's effort.
Although Amer Shafi palmed away Tran Minh Vuong's attempt, substitute Bui Tien Dung then converted his penalty, sending his side through to a meeting with powerhouses Japan or Saudi Arabia, who play each other today, on Thursday.
In the later match, China beat Thailand 2-1. Supachai Jaided opened the scoring for the Thais in the 31st minute, but goals from Xiao Zhi and Gao Lin (penalty) in the second half saw the Chinese through to the quarter-finals.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
ASIAN CUP
Last 16:
Japan v Saudi Arabia (6.50pm)
Australia v Uzbekistan (9.50pm)
UAE v Kyrgyzstan (tomorrow, 12.50am)
– Singtel TV Ch115 & StarHub Ch209
Even if Guardiola expects more twists in the title race, City are exactly where they want to be for at least a few days - and having worked their way back from at least two worrying positions.
Eden Hazard late show rescues Chelsea in Wolves draw Eden Hazard spared the under-fire Sarri's blushes with his thunderous stoppage-time equaliser, but it was still a frustrating day for the
Football: Hazard late show rescues Chelsea in Wolves draw
Chelsea can cope with transfer ban, says Sarri | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World NewsSport — The opening goal of the English Premier League
Why Chelsea can cope with transfer ban - Daily Nation
Raheem Sterling scored a hat-trick as England started what they hope is a road back to Wembley for the Euro 2020 final with a comprehensive 5-0 win over the Czech Republic to open their qualifying
Football: Sterling hits hat-trick as England thrash Czech
Ali's 'golden touch' floors Japan as Qatar lifts Asian Cup. Record-breaker Almoez Ali slots in a brilliant early goal as Qatar deals Japan its first loss in an Asian Cup final
Aussie horror show as Jordan stun Asian Cup champs | Free
LIVERPOOL manager Juergen Klopp says his team have shown they are mentally equipped to handle a title run-in, having acquitted themselves well in high-pressure situations over the past few years. Klopp dismisses talk of Liverpool crumbling under pressure | New Straits Times | Malaysia General Business Sports and Lifestyle News
Guardiola not worried about Man City players' social media use by BeSoccer @besoccer_com - 02 Feb 2019 0 672 Pep Guardiola is not concerned about the way his Manchester City players use social media, despite a post from Kyle Walker that appeared to mock Premier League title rivals Liverpool.
Guardiola not worried about Man City players' social media use
Football News -LONDON (AFP) - Jurgen Klopp has vowed that Liverpool will remain positive as they battle for the Premier League title despite a wobble that has enabled Manchester City to seize the
Liverpool staying positive despite blip, says Klopp - World
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/03/05/liverpool-staying-positive-despite-blip-says-klopp/
Liverpool staying positive despite blip, says Klopp AFP March 5, 2019 AFP No Comments London (AFP) - Jurgen Klopp has vowed that Liverpool will remain positive as they battle for the Premier League title despite a wobble that has enabled Manchester City to seize the initiative.
Liverpool staying positive despite blip, says Klopp -football
Football: Tampines Rovers sneak past Yangon United 4-3 to top AFC Cup Group F SINGAPORE - Tampines Rovers needed a three-goal salvo in the dying minutes in their last AFC Cup Group F match against Cambodia's Nagaworld FC to secure a 4-2 victory.
Tampines pip Yangon to top AFC Cup group, Football News & Top
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits Dejan Lovren is unlikely to feature against Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday night. Lovren is still recovering from a hamstring injury sustained against Wolves last month and the Croatia international did not travel with his team-mates to the club's warm-weather training camp in Marbella.
Liverpool's Lovren unlikely to face Bayern, says Klopp
Football: Liverpool's TV income may top record £250 million
0 comments:
Post a Comment