QatarA strong and excited Iraq in the U23 Asian quarterfinals today is the next challenge that Vietnam must overcome to get closer to the Olympic spot.
After the excitement of winning an early ticket to the next round with wins over Kuwait and Malaysia, Vietnam returned to earth when losing 0-3 to Uzbekistan in the final round of Group D. However, coach Hoang Anh Tuan affirmed that the defeat did not affect the team. team mentality. The whole team only sees this procedural match as an opportunity to stop and rest, focusing all their mind and energy on tonight’s quarterfinal match against Iraq.
Vietnam has never won a ticket to the Olympics, despite finishing second at U23 Asia 2018 – when the tournament was not counted as an Olympic qualifier. In the two qualifying rounds in 2016 and 2020, Vietnam both stopped early in the group stage. Meanwhile, Iraq has participated in the Olympics five times, in 1980, 1984, 1988, 2004 and 2016.
According to regulations, the championship, runner-up and bronze medal winning teams at this year’s U23 Asian Championship will have direct tickets to the 2024 Paris Olympics. The team that loses the bronze medal match will play in a play-off with the African representative Guinea competing for the bronze medal. tickets to the Olympics. The team that wins the quarterfinal match between Vietnam and Iraq today will definitely have half a ticket to Paris.
Vietnamese players celebrate Khuat Van Khang’s opening goal (right) in the 2-0 win over Malaysia in the 2024 U23 Asian group stage. Photo: AFC
In 2018, Vietnam was shocked when they defeated Iraq in the U23 Asian quarter-final penalty shootout, after drawing 3-3 after 120 minutes. But Mr. Tuan emphasized that the past needs to be put aside. In fact, in the last two meetings, the two teams drew 0-0 in the 2022 Dubai Cup friendly tournament, before Iraq won 3-0 in the 2023 Doha Cup.
Before the quarter-finals, Iraq had the advantage of resting one day more than Vietnam and was in high spirits thanks to a surprise 2-1 win over defending champion Saudi Arabia, to sneak through the narrow gap in Group C. The 0-2 loss to Thailand in The departure is a complete lesson for Iraq to focus and be vigilant against opponents like Vietnam. Indonesia’s courageous victory over South Korea in the quarterfinals continues to be a warning that Southeast Asian representatives send to the rest of Asia.
Is Iraq stronger than Vietnam?
“The matches in the U23 Asia tournament are often very sensitive, causing players to feel stressed and lose concentration,” coach Shenaishil said. “I hope they stay calm to avoid repeating mistakes like the group stage.”
But Mr. Shenaishil could not stop the players’ high determination to win. Mustafa Saadoun said Iraq is a champion and promised fans to realize the Olympic dream. Meanwhile, Ali Jasim said: “We are not afraid of any opponents right now.”
Ali Jasim (No. 7) is the most dangerous attacking player of U23 Iraq. Image: AFC
Vietnamese players are cautious as usual. Team goalkeeper Quan Van Chuan said the whole team was ready to concretize careful preparations for the great war in Iraq. He highly appreciated the opponent’s attack, praising them for playing diversely from the middle to the outside, with many crosses. “We have to defend as best we can and push them away from the goal,” said the 2001-born goalkeeper.
Vietnam vs Iraq will be the final match of the quarter-final series full of tension and surprises. Japan had to play extra time to defeat 10 Qatari players, and Korea was unable to make its 10th consecutive appearance at the Olympics. Even the smallest mistake will cost the strongest teams in this tournament in Qatar.
Hieu Luong
