2024 AFC Futsal Asian Cup: Vietnam beat China in group stage
VOV.VN - Vietnam on April 19 defeated China in a Group A match of the ongoing 2024 AFC Futsal Asian Cup in Thailand, raising hopes of entering the quarter-finals.
The 1-1 draw against Myanmar in their first Group match forced Vietnam to clinch a win over China if they want to press ahead with the AFC Futsal Asian Cup campaign, and they did it.
Vietnamese players were awarded a penalty kick in the 11th minute and from the spot Nhan Gia Hung did not miss the chance.
After the break, they performed better, expecting to score more goals. However, they failed to take advantage of Chinese fouls to convert into goals.
Chinese players applied the power-play tactics in the last minutes, but could not break the opponents’ defense line.
The 1-0 win sent Vietnam to the top of Group A with four points after two matches. Thailand that stunned China 3-1 in their first match are scheduled to take on Myanmar later on April 19.
Vietnam will advance to the quarter-finals if they draw with Thailand in their last match due to take place on April 21.
The 2024 AFC Futsal Asian Cup is taking place in Thailand from April 17 to 28. All 16 teams are divided into four groups, and four semi-finalists will win the right to compete in the 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup. The fifth ticket will be determined after the play-off matches amongst the four quarter-final losers.
The Vietnamese team have played in two Futsal World Cups before, in 2016 and 2020, reaching the knockout-stage in both tournaments.
