Vietnam boost last 16 hopes by eliminating Yemen

ABO/NDO – Vietnam brushed aside Yemen 2-0 in their last group match at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain early this morning (January 17) to boost their hopes of reaching the 2019 Asian Cup knockout stage, as both goals of Park Hang-seo’s side were scored from set-pieces.

Forward Nguyen Quang Hai (left) celebrates scoring the opener for Vietnam. (Photo: vnexpress.net)

Nguyen Quang Hai opened the scoring with an eye-catching free-kick converter in the first half before captain Que Ngoc Hai beat Yemen keeper Salem Al-Haresh on the spot after half time to double the advantage for the Golden Dragons.

The convincing victory moved Vietnam to third among the six third-placed teams with three points and a goal difference of -1, ahead of Palestine (two points, goal difference of -3), Oman (zero points, goal difference of -2) and Lebanon (zero points, goal difference of -4).

 

The convincing victory moved Vietnam to third among the six third-placed teams with three points and a goal difference of -1, ahead of Palestine (two points, goal difference of -3), Oman (zero points, goal difference of -2) and Lebanon (zero points, goal difference of -4).

 

Park’s troops showed their determination for a win by putting offensive pressure right from the first whistle. The Golden Dragons had the better of the match, but it was not until the 39th minute they they turned their possession into a goal thanks to a superd free-kick curler toward the top right corner from Quang Hai.

 

The first-half opener inspired Vietnamese players to be more confident and create additional chances early in the second half before Que Ngoc Hai made it 2-0 by successfully converting a 64th-minute penalty earned by midfielder Phan Van Duc.

 

Que Ngoc Hai celebrates scoring the second goal for the Golden Dragons. (Photo: vnexpress.net)

With time running out, the West Asian representatives intensified their attacks seeking to narrow the gap, but spurned some clear-cut opportunities, as Al Sarori fired a shot over the crossbar in the 73rd minute and Al-Sasi headed wide 15 minutes later.

 

Missing out on goals, Yemen had to bid farewell to the tournament as the bottom-placed team in Group D with zero points following their three consecutive defeats.

 

Meanwhile, the crucial win has helped the Golden Dragons widely open the door to the 2019 Asian Cup knockout stage as one of the four best third-placed teams, which already include Bahrain (four points) and Kyrgyzstan (three points, zero on goal difference).

 

The remaining two last 16 qualifiers will be decided after the Oman-Turkmenistan and Lebanon-DPR Korea clashes conclude tonight.