U22 Vietnam faced a disappointing 1-2 loss against host nation U22 China in their opening match of the CFA Team China 2024 International Friendly Tournament, held on the evening of September 4th.
This tournament, which is intended as a friendly event for U22 teams, features four teams: host China, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Coach Dinh Hong Vinh showed his intent to secure a strong start by fielding key players such as Nguyen Thai Son, Nguyen Dinh Bac, Nguyen Quoc Viet, and Nguyen Thanh Nhan in the starting lineup against U22 China.
The match began with a balanced contest between the two sides. U22 Vietnam, however, was the first to create a scoring opportunity when Ha Chau Phi made a breakthrough run and unleashed a shot, forcing Chinese goalkeeper Yu Jinyong into a difficult save in the 6th minute. Despite not being under sustained pressure, Vietnam conceded the opening goal in the 14th minute. Chinese captain Aisikaer found the back of the net following a precise cross from the right wing.
In response to the early setback, U22 Vietnam pushed forward in search of an equalizer, creating multiple dangerous opportunities, including efforts from Quoc Viet and Dinh Bac. Their persistence paid off just before halftime, with Quoc Viet capitalizing on a defensive error by U22 China to level the score at 1-1.
Entering the second half, U22 Vietnam continued to dominate the play, often putting the home team on the defensive. The Vietnamese youngsters managed to create more chances but were unable to convert them into goals. One of the most notable missed opportunities came in the 88th minute when Dinh Bac faced goalkeeper Yu Jinyong one-on-one, only for his curling shot to strike the post.
Moments later, Vietnam paid the price for their missed chances. In the 90th minute, U22 China launched a counterattack, and substitute He Xiaoke successfully beat Vietnamese goalkeeper Cao Van Binh, securing a 2-1 victory for the hosts. With this win, U22 China temporarily moved into second place, as U22 Uzbekistan had earlier defeated U22 Malaysia 2-0.
Looking ahead, U22 Vietnam will face U22 Uzbekistan in their second match of the CFA Team China 2024 International Friendly Tournament, scheduled for 2:30 PM on September 7th. Later on the same day, U22 China will take on U22 Malaysia.
Despite the setback, Coach Dinh Hong Vinh and his team remain focused on their upcoming matches. The tournament serves as a valuable experience for the players, providing them with opportunities to compete at an international level and prepare for future challenges. As the young Vietnamese side continues to develop, they aim to refine their tactics and build on their performances in the remaining fixtures of the tournament.
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