Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Changshu: Vietnam qualified for the AFC U23 Championship 2018 quarter-finals on Wednesday as a 0-0 draw with Syria proved enough to send the Southeast Asians through to the knockout phase.
The result, coupled with table-topping Korea Republic’s win over Australia, saw Vietnam seal second place in Group D and set up a last eight tie against Group C winners Iraq at the Changshu Sports Center on Saturday.
Both sides made a cautious start to the match, before Syria spurned two chances in the 12th minute, as first Moumen Naji was denied by excellent Vietnam defending and then, from the resulting corner, Mohamad Arnaout sent a header narrowly wide of the post.
Vietnam replied with a swift attack of their own, Nguyen Quang Hai finding Nguyen Cong Phuong inside the area who flashed a shot past the left-hand upright with 15 minutes on the clock.
Syria began to enjoy more of the ball after that, although, despite some neat approach play and the obvious threat being posed by lofty striker Mohamad Rafat, they failed to breach Vietnam’s resolute defence as a first half of few genuine chances came to a close.