Coach Hoang Anh Tuan was angry because the player received a yellow card
Nguyen Quoc Viet's double, along with goals from Khuat Van Khang and Vo Nguyen Hoang, helped Vietnam win 4-2 against Mongolia in the opening match of Group B this afternoon, September 19. This result helps coach Hoang Anh Tuan's team open the door to the 1/8 round, because the tournament takes two first- and second-place teams from each group as well as four excellent third-place teams.
However, the Khanh Hoa military leader was not completely happy. "I'm very angry with the mistakes that led to the yellow card," Mr. Tuan said after the match at Linping Stadium. "Deep inside, I'm very upset, and it's hard to say I feel satisfied with this match. I'm only satisfied with the score. If the players keep playing like this, maybe Vietnam will go home soon."
In this match, Vietnam was rated higher, and scored three goals in the first half. But in the second half, the players made many mistakes, including receiving three yellow cards. In the 59th minute, when the score was 3-1, midfielder Nguyen Duc Phu received a penalty card for tackling the ball from behind. In the 85th minute, while leading 4-1, defender Le Nguyen Hoang committed a foul near the penalty area, preventing the Mongolian player from penetrating. In the fifth minute of injury, Nguyen Duc Anh illegally blocked on the right wing, indirectly helping Mongolia get a free kick to score the second goal in the match.
According to the Asiad 19 men's soccer rules, a player who receives two yellow cards will be banned from playing in the next match.
At the U23 Southeast Asia Championship in August, coach Hoang Anh Tuan was also angry when Vietnamese players played poorly, made mistakes and fought with opponents. At that time, he even said that "he wanted to immediately kick Nguyen Van Truong out of the field".
In addition to the penalty card, coach Hoang Anh Tuan said that some players lacked concentration when taking the lead, including goalkeeper Quan Van Chuan at the second goal. The 55-year-old leader believes that mistakes can lead to a very unfortunate change in the situation in the group. "If the result of this match affects the next match, it is worth thinking about," he said.
The victory over Mongolia helps Vietnam almost certainly be in the top 3 in Group B. In the remaining two matches, Vietnam needs to earn points against two strong opponents, Iran and Saudi Arabia, to gain the right to self-determination.
Asiad 19 men's soccer includes 21 teams divided into six groups. The teams play in a round robin, selecting the six first-place teams, six second-place teams and four third-place teams with the best records to enter the 1/8 round.
The remaining match in the first round of Group J between Iran and Saudi Arabia will take place at 6:30 p.m. today.
