The Vietnamese futsal team unfortunately lost to Uzbekistan

Tu Minh Quang is probably the person who regrets the most after Vietnam lost in the quarterfinals. The Vietnamese futsal star had a great chance when facing the Uzbekistan goalkeeper at the end of the match, when the score was 1-1. His final shot hit the post.

And when the match had only 59 seconds left to end, Uzbekistan had a powerful finish to set the score 2-1, sending the Central Asian representative to the semi-finals. For Vietnamese futsal, the opportunity to participate in the World Cup has not ended, but this is truly a regrettable match.

The confrontation between Vietnam and Uzbekistan is meant to compete for the 2024 World Cup. This year’s Asian futsal tournament taking place in Thailand is also considered a World Cup qualifier. The four semi-finalists will win tickets to Uzbekistan in September.

In case the World Cup host team, Uzbekistan, enters the round of the 4 strongest teams, the 4 losing teams in the quarterfinals will play a play-off to compete for the remaining spot. Therefore, if they win against Uzbekistan, Vietnam will win tickets to the semi-finals and officially attend the 2024 World Cup.

The Vietnamese team was rated lower than Uzbekistan before kickoff. The host country of the 2024 World Cup passed the group stage with the top spot in Group B and an impressive winning record.

Meanwhile, coach Diego Giustozzi’s team had a difficult start, drawing 1-1 with Myanmar in the first series of matches, then winning at least 1-0 against China. In the final series of matches, Vietnam lost to host Thailand 1-2 and ranked second in Group A.

Vietnam Futsal was rated lower than Uzbekistan before the match.

Going into the match, it was not surprising that Uzbekistan dominated and created many opportunities. However, the Vietnamese team also played disciplined defense. Ho Van Y’s excellence in blocking shots helped Vietnam stand firm for most of the first half.

Even the “Golden Star Warriors” had opportunities to score. However, weaknesses in taking advantage of opportunities continue to be a big problem for Vietnamese futsal.

It wasn’t until Thinh Phat spoke up at the end of the first half that Vietnam concreted its opportunities. Vietnam’s No. 1 striker (pivo) in this tournament scored a goal at close range, helping the Southeast Asian team take a 1-0 lead at the end of the first half.

Entering the second half, Uzbekistan increased the pressure. The Central Asian team created many shots and once hit the goal post by Ho Van Y. The goalkeeper of the Vietnamese team continued his impressive form, saving the home team many times.

In the opposite direction, Vietnam also hit the Uzbekistan crossbar once. That lack of luck seems to signal an uneasy rest for Vietnam.

When the match had just over 6 minutes left to end, Tulkinov scored a header to equalize 1-1 for Uzbekistan after a smashing shot from his teammate. Not long after Minh Quang missed a golden opportunity to increase the score, Uzbekistan scored a 2-1 victory with only 59 seconds left in the match.

Having lost in the quarterfinals, Vietnam will play the play-off semi-final with Kyrgyzstan on April 26. The winner of this match will face Iraq or Afghanistan in the decisive match to win tickets to the 2024 World Cup.

(According to Znews)