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.”

Goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung’s saves helped Vietnam seal a place in the last two thanks to a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat of Qatar on Tuesday, following an extraordinary 2-2 draw at the end of extra-time.

In the wake of the victory, millions of supporters, many shouting ‘Vietnam champion’, flooded city streets across the country, with the excitement showing no sign of abating as the crunch tie against Uzbekistan approaches.

"I'm so happy! Our class told throughout the match, and we burst into tears when (Vu) Van Thanh scored (the decisive penalty). Thanks to the players, thanks to the coach! Now we'll head to celebrate," student Minh Nguyen told VnExpress International after the game.

VIETNAM (starting 11 versus Qatar in semi-finals)

BUI TIEN DUNG
Shirt Number: 1, Club: FLC Thanh Hoa, Age: 20

First appeared for Vietnam at the AFC U-19 Championship 2016 in Bahrain, and was part of the senior team during the AFC Asian Cup 2019 Qualifiers. The goalkeeper has certainly played his part at the AFC U23 Championship, starring during the semi-final penalty shootout victory over Qatar when he saved two spot kicks to help send Vietnam through.

VIETNAM

Two dramatic penalty shootout victories have helped underline the undoubted spirit possessed by a Vietnam team whose journey at this edition of the AFC U23 Championship has been a quite remarkable one.

Head coach Park Hang-seo’s charges began their quest for the title with a 2-1 defeat to Korea Republic in Group D. However, a subsequent 1-0 win over Australia revived their quarter-final aspirations, and a draw against Syria on Matchday Three, coupled with Australia’s loss to the Koreans, proved to be enough to send them through as group runners-up.

Bashar Resan’s miss from the spot then earned Vietnam a place in the semi-finals, as the Southeast Asian nation defeated former champions Iraq 5-3 in a penalty shootout after an extraordinary 3-3 draw following extra-time. More drama was to come in the semi-finals against Qatar when goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung saved two penalties in a 4-3 shootout success that came after 120 minutes of football had produced a 2-2 draw.

WHAT THEY SAID: “I told all my 23 players to put up a tremendous fight and that they should not disappoint the people of Vietnam. They did not let them down.” Park Hang-seo after his side's semi-final win.

Goals scored: 7
Goals conceded: 7
Top goalscorer: Nguyen Quang Hai (4 goals)

DID YOU KNOW: Midfielder Luong Xuan Truong has played in the K League for Incheon United and Gangwon FC.