It was a remarkable achievement for the nation as it had lost 2-1 to Malaysia on February 1st, before bouncing back to beat Bahrain 2-1 two days later.
A draw is just enough for Chinese Taipei (1st position, 4 points, 2 matches) while Vietnam (2nd position, 3 points, 2 matches) must seal a victory.
Photos: Internnet
With their qualification hopes on the line, both sides entered the match looking for the win and played a high tempo, tight marking game. The two were nearly identical in their approach to the game, but Vietnam just edged it in terms of possession.
It was initially the hosts who took the lead courtesy of Huang Po Chun’s 19th-minute opener, but Vu Duc Tung leveled for Vietnam in the 29th minute following a lovely turn and finish. The nation even replied in emphatic fashion with goals Pham Duc Hoa and Nguyen Dac Huy to seal the win. Coupled with Bahrain’s 3-1 win over Malaysia, Chinese Taipei finished third and missed out on the knockout phase.
After the game, Vietnamese head coach Miguel Rodrigo said that his students will first take a rest, physically and mentally. “Uzbekistan is one of the best, favorites for sure but we are warriors, and will play with the Vietnamese spirit”.
Group B runners-up Uzbekistan is the rival of Vietnam in the next match at 18h00 on February 8th.
A total of 16 teams are competing in the final round of 2018 AFC Futsal Championship (15th edition) - the biennial international Futsal championship organised by the AFC for the men's national teams of Asia, is taking place between February 1st - 11th. They will play in four groups, seeking the best two ones for the quarter-finals.
Two years ago (exactly on February 17th, 2016), Vietnam proved that surprises and shocks always happen in football, by knocking down three-time Asian champion Japan in the quarter-finals, naming it in the World Cup Futsal 2016. The shocking 2-1 victory on penalties after a 4-4 draw in both official minutes of play and extra time was the most glorious triumph and the best match of Vietnam’s futsal team./.