2018 AFC U-23 Championship Final

2018 AFC U-23 Championship Final
Event 2018 AFC U-23 Championship
Vietnam Uzbekistan
Vietnam Uzbekistan
1 2
After extra time
Date 27 January 2018
Venue Changzhou Olympic Sports Centre, Changzhou
Man of the Match Nguyễn Quang Hải
Referee Ahmed Al-Kaf (Oman)
Attendance 6,200
Weather Heavy snow
% humidity

The 2018 AFC U-23 Championship Final was a football match that took place on 27 January 2018 at the Changzhou Olympic Sports Centre in Changzhou, China, to determine the winners of the 2018 AFC U-23 Championship. The match was contested by Vietnam and Uzbekistan, the winners of the semi-finals.

Uzbekistan beat Vietnam after extra time to claim their maiden U-23 Asian Cup title in what was considered to be the most exciting and special final in the history of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).[1][2]

Route to the final

Vietnam's participation to the final was considered as a surprise. Prior to the tournament, Vietnam had just participated in one edition, the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship where they finished bottom with total three defeats. Uzbekistan, being considered as a heavyweight, in their first two editions were not successful, being eliminated from the group stage both two editions and only claimed one victory in both tournaments.

Vietnam participated in the tournament together with South Korea, Australia and Syria. Being in a tough group, Vietnam was believed to make an early exit from the group stage. That was true in the first match, when Vietnam lost 1–2 to South Korea. However, Vietnam surprisingly bounced back and beat Australia 1–0, took vengeance for the defeat two years ago. After drawing Syria 0–0, Vietnam, together with Malaysia were the first two Southeast Asian teams to qualify into the knockout stage. Vietnam continued to surprise every predictions by defeating Iraq and Qatar on the penalty shootout after two thrillers, both ended 3–3 and 2–2 after 120 minutes each. Thus Vietnam had written history by becoming the first Southeast Asian team since 1999, to play in the final of an AFC tournament.[3] This was also Vietnam's first ever AFC final in their football history.[4]

Uzbekistan was placed in group A with host China, Qatar and Oman. Unlike Vietnam, Uzbekistan had more experiences, and was expected to make at least to the semi-finals. However, their hope was shattered by a humiliating 0–1 loss to Qatar, before they fought back and defeated China and Oman both with the score 1–0. When the Young White Wolves passed into the quarter-finals, the Uzbeks showed their strength by demolishing an Olympic-preparing squad and Asian champions Japan in a surprising 4–0 victory, before taking 120 minutes to defeat another East Asian giant, South Korea, 4–1.[5]

Vietnam Round Uzbekistan
Opponents Result Group stage Opponents Result
 South Korea 1–2 Match 1  Qatar 0–1
 Australia 1–0 Match 2  China PR 1–0
 Syria 0–0 Match 3  Oman 1–0
Group D runners-up
Pos Team Pld Pts
1  South Korea 3 7
2  Vietnam 3 4
3  Australia 3 3
4  Syria 3 2
Source: AFC
 Final standings Group A runners-up
Pos Team Pld Pts
1  Qatar 3 9
2  Uzbekistan 3 6
3  China PR 3 3
4  Oman 3 0
Source: AFC
Opponents Result Knockout stage Opponents Result
 Iraq 3–3 (a.e.t.) (5–3 p) Quarter-finals  Japan 4–0
 Qatar 2–2 (a.e.t.) (4–3 p) Semi-finals  South Korea 4–1 (a.e.t.)

Match

2018 AFC U-23 Asian Cup
Final
Vietnam  1–2 (a.e.t.)  Uzbekistan
Hải  41' Report Ashurmatov  8'
Sidorov  120'
Attendance: 6,200
Referee: Ahmed Al-Kaf (Oman)

Vietnam
Uzbekistan
GK1Bùi Tiến Dũng I
DF2Phạm Xuân Mạnh
DF4Bùi Tiến Dũng II
DF11Đỗ Duy MạnhYellow card 111'
DF21Trần Đình Trọng
DF17Vũ Văn Thanh
MF6Lương Xuân Trường (c)
MF8Phạm Đức Huy 58'
MF14Phan Văn Đức 109'
FW19Nguyễn Quang Hải
FW10Nguyễn Công Phượng 80'
Substitutions:
DF20Bùi Tiến DụngYellow card 101' 80'
MF7Nguyễn Phong Hồng Duy 109'
FW13Hà Đức Chinh 58'
Manager:
South Korea Park Hang-seo
GK1Botirali Ergashev
DF2Rustamjon Ashurmatov
DF4Akramjon Komilov
DF5Abbosjon Otakhonov 103'
DF20Dostonbek TursunovYellow card 111'
MF6Azizjon Ganiev
MF7Odiljon HamrobekovYellow card 35'
MF8Jasurbek YakhshiboevYellow card 10' 45'
MF17Dostonbek Khamdamov
MF10Javokhir SidikovYellow card 121' 118'
FW9Zabikhillo Urinboev
Substitutions:
MF16Doniyorjon Narzullaev 45'
FW22Bobir Abdixolikov 103'
FW11Andrey Sidorov 118'
Manager:
Ravshan Khaydarov

Match rules:

Controversies

Referee issues

Prior to the final, the AFC had assigned Chinese referee Ma Ning to take charge of the final. However, subsequently few hours before the match, the Omani referee Ahmed Al-Kaf was placed instead of Ma Ning.[6] The AFC didn't give any explain aftermath, however, it was believed to have disputes between the host officials and the AFC over refereeing question. Al-Kaf himself had also taken charges in some AFC Champions League matches.[6]

Snowy conditions

The match was played in a heavy snow condition, under –2°C, relatively very cold and it had been suggested to be delayed due to snowfall in the city could threaten the match.[7] However, the AFC turned down the request and ordered the match to continue. After the end of the first half, the AFC asked to clean the stadium, and it took over 30 minutes to one hour until the match could be resumed.[8] It was criticised aftermath, both by Uzbekistani and Vietnamese fans, as both are not accustomed to play in such harsh weather condition.[9]

Uzbekistan's team shirt

In the opening 45 minutes, the Uzbeks were permitted by the AFC to wear all-white despite heavy snow storms crossing the city. Because of this, not just the Vietnamese but even Uzbek players found themselves very hard to discover their own players.[1] To solve the problem, the Uzbeks had to change to blue shirts in the second half of the match, and had worn it for entire of the remaining minutes.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 Paul Murphy (27 January 2018). "Vietnam suffer extra-time defeat to Uzbekistan in AFC U23 final". ESPN. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  2. ↑ "Brave Vietnam sunk by late goal in snow-hit final". The New Paper. 27 January 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  3. ↑ Zulhilmi Zainal (23 January 2018). "Indomitable Vietnam set AFC U-23 final date thanks to Quang Hai's double". Goal.com. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  4. ↑ "Meet the Finalists: Vietnam". Asian Football Confederation. 25 January 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  5. ↑ Gabriel Tan (23 January 2018). "AFC U-23 Championship: Uzbekistan see off Korea Republic to make final". Fox Sports Asia. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  6. 1 2 Kiên Lê (30 January 2018). "Lộ lý do AFC loại Ma Ning, chọn trọng tài Oman bắt trận chung kết". Thể Thao 24h. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  7. ↑ Ha Do (27 January 2018). "Heavy snow threatens to delay Vietnam vs Uzbekistan U23 Asian Cup final". VnExpress. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  8. ↑ Thanh Phong (27 January 2018). "Thua U23 Uzbekistan phút chót, U23 Việt Nam giành ngôi Á quân" (in Vietnamese). Goal.com. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  9. ↑ Tiệp Nguyễn (28 January 2018). "Fan quốc tế khâm phục Việt Nam sau trận chung kết AFC U23" (in Vietnamese). Việt Times. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  10. ↑ Viễn Đông (27 January 2018). "Chung kết U23 Việt Nam – Uzbekistan" (in Vietnamese). Voice of America. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.