Vietnam to play Saudi Arabia at 2022 AFC U23 Asian Cup quarter-finals
VOV.VN - Vietnam are scheduled to play Saudi Arabia at the 2022 AFC U23 Asian Cup quarter-finals on June 12 after the latter stunned the United Arab Emirates 2-0 on June 9 evening, staying atop Group D.
In another Group D match, Japan overwhelmed Tajikistan 3-0 to finish second on goal difference. They are due to face the Republic of Korea (Group C winners) on June 12.
Earlier, Vietnam trounced Malaysia 2-0 on June 8 to finish second in Group C and cruise to the quarter-finals.
Saudi Arabia are about 30 notches ahead of Vietnam in the FIFA rankings and are considered one of the top teams in Asia. Their national team outplayed Vietnam in both home and away matches as part of the third qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup last year.
The Saudi Arabia U23 side will enter the quarter-final clash with Vietnam without captain Saud Abdulhamid who scored a goal in their 2-0 win over the UAE in the last Group D match. The centre-back captain will be sidelined after receiving his second yellow card in the UAE match.
Similarly, midfielder Ibrahim Mahnashi will also miss the Vietnam clash as he had already received two yellow cards.
Meanwhile, defender Tien Long suffered an injury and left the field in the Vietnam vs Malaysia match on June 8. It is not clear whether he will recover in time for the upcoming quarter-finals.
The Saudi Arabia vs Vietnam match is scheduled to take place at 23:00 (Vietnam time) on June 12.
