Vietnam meets Saudi Arabia in the quarterfinals of U23 Asia
UzbekistanSaudi Arabia won the UAE 2-0 to lead Group D on the evening of June 9, and will meet Vietnam in the quarterfinals of the AFC U23 Championship 2022.
Scored: Ahmed 57, Abdulhamid 92
Saudi Arabia completed the goal when defending the top position of Group D, in an overwhelming battle against the UAE. Saad Ali Al Shehri’s men had three times as many shots as their opponents, and nine times as many corners. This victory helps Saudi Arabia maintain its unbeaten record to top Group D with seven points. In the match at the same time, Japan also defeated Tajikistan 3-0 in a lack of people, to end the group stage with seven points. But Saudi Arabia has a better goal difference than three units, so it is at the top of the table.
Captain Saud Abdullah Abdulhamid (No. 23) celebrates scoring a 2-0 scoreline for Saudi Arabia at Lokomotiv Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan on the evening of June 9. Image: Lam Tho
Despite winning, there are times when Saudi Arabia has to sweat. In the 16th minute, the UAE hit the vertical post twice in a row. Defender Abdulla Suroor first rose high and then shot straight to the near corner and bounced off the post. Mahdi Sadeq shot from outside the penalty area, but the ball still hit the post. A minute later, striker Al Naqbi made an impromptu finish, causing the Saudi goalkeeper to struggle to push the ball to save. But that’s all the UAE almf is.
Saudi Arabia created more chances with good fitness and cohesive play. In the 32nd minute, captain Abduhamid took a free kick and bounced off the crossbar. At the end of the first half, midfielder Mohammed Asiri headed home the UAE, but VAR intervened and the goal was disallowed because the ball touched this player’s hand. The 19th striker Hadi Radif also played aggressively on the Saudi side but repeatedly missed.
Saudi Arabia only needs to draw, but they still rush to attack because winning can take the top of the table. Their efforts paid off in the 57th minute. Left midfielder Yahya Ahmed took a step to overcome the UAE defender and then stormed straight into the penalty area to face the goalkeeper. The UAE central defender tripped when he bumped into an opponent, leaving Ahmed with too much space and time to process a goal.
Yahya Ahmed’s close-range shot opened the scoring. Image: Lam Tho
UAE was forced to win, but more difficulties piled up for them in the 75th minute. Center-back captain Al Nuaimi kicked the ball high with his shoes with midfielder Al Nashiri, and the referee immediately showed a direct red card, causing the UAE to Only playing with 10 people. The match was considered over, before Abdulhamid sealed a 2-0 victory from the penalty spot.
Saudi Arabia’s victory only has ripples when captain captain Abdulhamid and midfielder Ibrahim Mahnashi will be suspended in the quarter-finals against Vietnam, due to receiving two yellow cards.
The last time Saudi Arabia met Vietnam at U23 was in 2011, at the London Olympic qualifying round. At that time, Saudi Arabia won 2-0 in the first leg at home, and 4-1 in the second leg at My Dinh. Striker Le Van Thang scored the only goal for Vietnam that match.
The quarter-final match between Saudi Arabia and Vietnam will take place at 11pm on June 12, Hanoi time, at Lokomotiv Stadium. The team that reaches the semi-finals will face Australia or Turkmenistan.
Quang Dung – Hoang An
at Blogtuan.info – Source: vnexpress.net – Read the original article here
