AFC U23 Championship 2018 - Photos

The match was broadcast live on three major channels in Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh City Television’s HTV-9 as well as Vietnam Television’s VTV-2 and VTV-6.

According to data released by CSM Media Research and KantarMedia Vietnam, over 5.3 million people – almost half of the entire measurable TV population of 11.4 million in Vietnam – watched the final, making the AFC U23 Championship one of the country’s most-watched television programmes in recent years. The final achieved a staggering 77% share of viewing in Vietnam, which means three out of four Vietnamese watching television that afternoon were tuned in to the match.

Vietnam’s remarkable performance also registered a powerful viral effect on social media. The AFC’s official Facebook page (theAFCdotcom) earned close to 1.5 million engagements in Vietnam alone; and by the final whistle, the page had secured a nine-fold increase of 165,079 followers from Vietnam, making the country the second biggest fan group on the channel.

Throughout the tournament, AFC’s Facebook page achieved an impressive reach of over 11 million and close to 17 million video views in Vietnam. This translated to over 150,000 hours Vietnamese fans spent watching the videos. On AFC’s YouTube channel, the response was equally overwhelming, with more than four million Vietnamese fans clocking close to 6.5 million minutes of viewing time.

AFC General Secretary Dato’ Windsor John said, “The solid ratings on Vietnamese television and social media underscore the enduring appeal of football in this region, and demonstrate the power of engaging local communities with meaningful experiences and content that truly matter to them. Watching fans pour out into the streets to welcome their national heroes, packing public viewing spaces to capacity, and decorating the stadium with their country’s colours were proud moments for all of us.

“As we celebrate Uzbekistan’s historical victory at the AFC U23 Championship, we are equally encouraged by Vietnam’s performance, and applaud the phenomenal strides both nations have made to reach the final of the most prestigious platform for Asia’s future stars to shine.”

“Special praise must also go to the Vietnam Football Federation for their continued progress and proactive efforts in developing the game at all levels, which was recognised at the AFC Annual Awards Night in Bangkok last year when they earned the AFC Developing Member Associations of the Year award.”

There were only two minutes of extra time left on the clock and whatever extra the referee would award in stoppage time but Sidorov was ready to play his part.

It looked likely that penalties would be needed to decide the outcome and with Sidorov having a fresh pair of legs in a final played in wintry conditions, he would surely have been tasked with taking a spot-kick.

In a match between equals, Uzbekistan opened the scoring in the eighth minute but Nguyen Quang Hai’s 41st minute equaliser pushed the game into extra-time.

Vietnam, however, suffered heartbreak almost at the end as substitute Andrey Sidorov scored the winner for Uzbekistan in the final minute of extra-time to settle the outcome of a match played in wintry conditions.

The talented midfielder was an ever-present for Uzbekistan throughout the tournament, with his display in the final undoubtedly one of his best in China. 

However, despite his glowing reviews and personal accolade, Xamrobekov was quick to dedicate his own award and the U23 title success to those who believed in both himself and his teammates the most.

“All the trophies that we have won today, they are for everyone, for all the delegation, all the staff, and for all those people who believed in us,” explained Uzbekistan’s number seven.

“After we lost the opening match (against Qatar), not many people thought we would succeed, but those closest to us definitely did. 

"The success we had is not only mine, or the head coach’s, or the team’s, it is for everyone.”

Andrey Sidorov claimed the winner with virtually the final kick of a game that went into extra-time to give Uzbekistan the title for the first time and their first trophy at continental level since winning the AFC U16 Championship in 2010.

Uzbekistan’s only other continental title came in 1994 when the newly-inducted AFC member claimed the gold medal at the Asian Games and Khaydarov believes the win can spur the country onto greater success after some difficult years at senior level.

“We made history today and it’s one of the greatest victories for Uzbekistan football and for our country,” he said. 

“I haven’t thought too much about the significance, but this trophy can be very good for the future. This team is the future of our senior team. Over the last few years we didn’t see any trophies and we can’t say that we have played in a satisfactory way at the tournaments that we have played. 

“So this is very important for us. But I haven’t thought too much about it because I’m emotional.”

Andrey Sidorov’s goal with just a minute remaining of extra-time handed Uzbekistan a 2-1 win to leave the Vietnamese heartbroken after a remarkable run to the final.

But Park put aside the disappointment of the heartbreaking loss to provide a positive outlook for the country on the international stage.

“I’ve only been in Vietnam four months and I still don’t know enough about Vietnam’s football culture,” said the 59-year-old. “I have to study and learn and try to know more. 

“But all of my players did their best and throughout this tournament they proved that they have great ability. Maybe in the future Vietnamese football will have more success at Asian level.”

The 21-year-old Al Duhail striker found the net in four of his country’s six games at the tournament, scoring twice against both host nation China PR and Palestine as Qatar finished third.

Losing finalist Nguyen Quang Hai from Vietnam finished second thanks to the five goals he scored, while Qatar midfielder Akram Afif, Uzbekistan's Jasurbek Yakshiboev, Korea Republic striker Lee Keun-ho and Palestine’s Oday Dabbagh tied for third with three goals apiece.

Tien Dung was one of Vietnam’s standout performers during their dramatic semi-final win over Qatar, with the custodian stopping efforts from Ahmad Moein and Sultan Al Brake to help seal a 4-3 penalty shootout win after 120 minutes of enthralling football had produced a 2-2 draw.

With the Uzbekistan showdown looming large, Tien Dung is adamant that Vietnam will give their all against opponents they faced as recently as December.

“We played against Uzbekistan in a friendly tournament in Thailand, and I think they are a strong team,” he said.

“For them to reach the final means that they are a very good side.

“But we have also reached the final, and we are now ready to give 100 percent.”