Vietnam to face Japan in AFC Asian Cup 2019 quarterfinals

Japanese team (Photo: AFC)

Notably, the Video Assistance Referee (VAR) will be used starting from the tournament’s quarterfinal stages. It will be the first time for Vietnam to play in a match with the VAR technology.

Japan reached the quarterfinals after beating Saudi Arabia 1-0 on January 21, with a header of defender Takehiro Toniyasu in the 20th minute. 

Both Japan and Saudi Arabia are considered heavyweights of the Asian Cup, as Japan were the winners four times and Saudi Arabia won the championship thrice. 

Previously on January 20, Vietnam advanced to the quarterfinals with pride after a breath-taking shootout with Jordan.

The two sides finished the official 90 minutes of the match with a 1-1 draw, in which Vietnam conceded a goal in the first half and gradually scored an equalizer in the second.

The match saw Vietnam’s dominance with more possession (58 percent – 42 percent), shots (18-8), shots on target (7-3) and even corners (8-0). The excellent performance by Vietnamese players won praises from commentators of famous sports media like Fox Sports.

Into the extra times, the two sides played cautiously but by no means dully although the players’ health went down considerably. The two coaches sent in their substitutes, apparently preparing for the shootout.

Saeed of Jordan hit the bar in the second penalty, much to his and his side’s regret. Their regret even worsened as Vietnam’s goalie Dang Van Lam denied a goal from the Jordan side in their third penalty.

Vietnam should have finished the game early but substitute Tran Minh Vuong failed to score a goal in the fourth penalty. However, in the last shoot, defender Bui Tien Dung sent the ball to the net to secure a berth in the quarterfinals for Vietnam.