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Viet Nam win second match, next face Japan in Asian Futsal Cup

VGP — Viet Nam national head coach Diego Guistozzi said he was very proud of his team who defeated a strong Saudi Arabia 3-1 in the second round match of Group D during the AFC Futsal Asian Cup on September 30 in Kuwait.

October 01, 2022 10:29 AM GMT+7

Viet Nam, the two-time World Cup quarter-finalist, controlled most time of the first half before Nguyen Anh Duy opened the score at the 12th minute.

Viet Nam win second match, next face Japan in Asian Futsal Cup - Ảnh 1.

Nguyen Anh Duy scores the opening goal of the match between Viet Nam and Saudi Arabia during the Asian Futsal Cup's Group D on September 30. Viet Nam win 3-1.

Eight minutes after the break, Chau Doan Phat doubled the result with a finish into an empty net after he stole a ball from Saudi Arabia power play attack.

Saudi Arabia, who beat Japan on September 28, narrowed the score five minutes later as Phat netted again but this time he scored an own goal.

Viet Nam then were forced to play defensively as Saudi Arabia pressed hard for the equaliser with goalkeeper Humood Aldahhan acting as their fifth attacking player.

They created several threatening chances to reduce the gap. But they were all denied by Vietnamese talented goalkeeper Ho Van Y who showed off his exceptional abilities.

Viet Nam delivered the third goal in the last seconds to end Saudi Arabian hope.

"I'm happy with my team as it was a tough match," said Giustozzi.

"In the first half Saudi Arabia defended well, and in the second half, they were trying to play pressing. I think the way we defended against their power play led to the win. Previously, Saudi Arabia scored two goals (against Japan) using the same power play, but today we scored two goals from it, and I'm really happy for the victory."

Viet Nam win second match, next face Japan in Asian Futsal Cup - Ảnh 2.

Goalkeeper Ho Nhu Y denies all Saudi Arabian attempts, helping Viet Nam stay on top of Group D.

Viet Nam are now one step closer to advancing to the knockout stage after bagging their second win, only needing to avoid defeat against Japan on October 2.

"I don't want to think too far into the competition. We are still in the group stage, and we will have to prepare for Japan now. The knockout stage will be another problem."

On the other side, Saudi Arabia head coach Andreu Plaza disappointed with the result although he praised players' efforts and determination to fight till the very last second.

"It was a match that we could have drawn or even won, so it wasn't a question of being unlucky," Plaza was quoted as saying on the-afc.com. "For me, the whole team performed really well and gave everything in the match.

"I'm not entirely satisfied about winning the other day or losing today, but I'm really happy at the way we're competing. We're competing against the best teams like Japan and Viet Nam, and I'm really satisfied about the way we're playing and facing teams that are superior to us on paper," Plaza added.

"We played with composure, especially in the second half. They (the players) were able to manage the situation and I'm happy about that. It's just that the ball didn't go into the back of the net this time."

After two matches, Viet Nam led the standings with six points. Saudi Arabia and Japan three adrift, while South Korea were already eliminated after two defeats.

Viet Nam only need a draw to advance to the quarter-finals as group winners but head Giustozzi admitted that his side are in for a massive test.

"Japan have got good Brazilian-born players and they are really strong team with three titles under their belt. But I'm confident after what I've seen from my team," said Giustozzi who had only six weeks to prepare his team for the Cup.

Meanwhile, Japan head coach Kenichiro Kogure wanted a win.

"For us, all the games are like the final," expressed Kogure. "Our objective is to be champions of this tournament, and we will be trying our best to achieve that."

"The next match is going to be important for us to go through to the next round. We're feeling confident and I trust my players.

"We've actually planned to use more of our younger players in the first match, but it didn't go to plan. But in this second match, they played really well and I hope they continue to perform."/.