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 striker was on hand to convert a Dostonbek Khamdamov corner with his first touch of the game, after a 1-1 draw had forced the game into an additional 30 minutes.

While Uzbekistan’s victory saw them add to the AFC U-16 Championship title they won in 2012, it also brought the curtain down on a remarkable Vietnam campaign, one which will live long in the memory of the Southeast Asian nation’s supporters.

In decidedly wintry conditions at the Changzhou Olympic Sports Center, it was Uzbekistan who controlled the early proceedings, and they duly took the lead on eight minutes when a poorly marked Rustamjon Ashurmatov headed home Khamdamov’s outswinging corner.

Uzbekistan continued to press after the breakthrough, as both a Javokhir Sidikov header and Khamdamov’s effort from 20 yards forced Vietnam goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung into smart saves.

Despite struggling to fully impose themselves on the game, Vietnam briefly threatened to restore parity shortly after the half hour mark when Pham Xuan Manh’s excellent cross narrowly eluded the onrushing Phan Vanh Duc and Nguyen Quang Hai.

However, after seeing Azizjon Ganiev fire narrowly over, Vietnam drew level on the stroke of half-time. Nguyen Cong Phuong was brought down on the edge of the area, and from the resulting free-kick Quang Hai superbly curled the ball past the despairing dive of Botirali Ergashev to register his fifth goal of the tournament.

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.”

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.”