2018 AFC U-23 Championship final

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2018 AFC U-23 Championship Final
Changzhou Olympic Sports Centre.jpg
Event 2018 AFC U-23 Championship
After extra time
Date27 January 2018
Venue Changzhou Olympic Sports Centre, Changzhou
Man of the Match Nguyễn Quang Hải
Referee Ahmed Al-Kaf (Oman)
Attendance6,200
WeatherHeavy snow
0 °C (32 °F)
2016
2020

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.

Contents

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 experience, and was expected to make at least 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]

VietnamRoundUzbekistan
OpponentsResult Group stage OpponentsResult
Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 1–2Match 1Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar 0–1
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 1–0Match 2Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 1–0
Flag of Syria.svg  Syria 0–0Match 3Flag of Oman.svg  Oman 1–0
Group D runners-up
PosTeamPldPts
1Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 37
2Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam 34
3Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 33
4Flag of Syria.svg  Syria 32
Source: AFC
Final standings Group A runners-up
PosTeamPldPts
1Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar 39
2Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan 36
3Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 33
4Flag of Oman.svg  Oman 30
Source: AFC
OpponentsResult Knockout stage OpponentsResult
Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq 3–3 ( a.e.t. )(5–3 p)Quarter-finalsFlag of Japan.svg  Japan 4–0
Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar 2–2 ( a.e.t. )(4–3 p)Semi-finalsFlag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 4–1 ( a.e.t. )

Match

In decidedly snowy 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 quick 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 Van 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.

After a delayed restart to allow a layer of snow to be removed from the pitch, Uzbekistan were the first to shine once again, this time Khamdamov stinging the palms of Tien Dung courtesy of a 48th minute long-range drive.

Moments later, Tien Dung, the hero of Vietnam’s semi-final win over Iraq, reacted well to deny Sidikov from six yards, before Uzbekistan captain Zabikhillo Urinboev fizzed a shot wide of the left-hand upright on 70 minutes.

In the last meaningful action of normal time, Urinboev could, and very possibly should, have won the match for the Central Asians, but the striker inexplicably lashed his attempt from eight yards over the bar after Tien Dung had parried Akramjon Komilov’s cross into his path.

Urinboev’s miss was to matter little in the end though, as Sidorov applied an expert finish to Khamdamov's last gasp corner at the end of additional time to seal the title for Uzbekistan and break Vietnamese hearts on a day of high drama.

Final
Vietnam  Flag of Vietnam.svg1–2 (a.e.t.)Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan
Nguyễn Quang Hải Soccerball shade.svg41' Report Ashurmatov Soccerball shade.svg8'
Sidorov Soccerball shade.svg120'

Kit left arm vie18h.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body vie18h.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm vie18h.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts vie18h.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks long.svg
Vietnam
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body uzb16a.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks long.svg
Uzbekistan (first half)
Kit left arm uzb16h.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body uzb16h.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm uzb16h.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks long.svg
Uzbekistan (second half and extra time)
GK1 Bùi Tiến Dũng I
CB11 Đỗ Duy Mạnh Yellow card.svg 111'
CB21 Trần Đình Trọng
CB4 Bùi Tiến Dũng II
RM2 Phạm Xuân Mạnh
CM6 Lương Xuân Trường (c)
CM8 Phạm Đức Huy Sub off.svg 58'
LM17 Vũ Văn Thanh
RF19 Nguyễn Quang Hải
CF10 Nguyễn Công Phượng Sub off.svg 80'
LF14 Phan Văn Đức Sub off.svg 109'
Substitutions:
DF20 Bùi Tiến Dụng Yellow card.svg 101'Sub on.svg 80'
MF7 Nguyễn Phong Hồng Duy Sub on.svg 109'
FW13 Hà Đức Chinh Sub on.svg 58'
Manager:
Flag of South Korea.svg Park Hang-seo
VIE-UZB AFC U-23 Championship 2018 (Final).svg
GK1 Botirali Ergashev
RB5 Abbosjon Otakhonov Sub off.svg 103'
CB20 Dostonbek Tursunov Yellow card.svg 111'
CB2 Rustamjon Ashurmatov
LB4 Akramjon Komilov
CM6 Azizjon Ganiev
CM7 Odiljon Hamrobekov Yellow card.svg 35'
RW8 Jasurbek Yakhshiboev Yellow card.svg 10'Sub off.svg 45'
AM10 Javokhir Sidikov Yellow card.svg 121'Sub off.svg 118'
LW17 Dostonbek Khamdamov
CF9 Zabikhillo Urinboev (c)
Substitutions:
MF16 Doniyorjon Narzullaev Sub on.svg 45'
FW22 Bobur Abdikholikov Sub on.svg 103'
FW11 Andrey Sidorov Sub on.svg 118'
Manager:
Ravshan Khaydarov

Match rules:

Controversies

Referee issues

Prior to the final, the AFC had assigned Chinese referee Ma Ning to be in the final. However, only a few hours before the match, Ma was replaced by Omani referee Ahmed Al-Kaf. [6] The AFC did not explain their reasoning behind its decision, however, it was believed to have been from disputes between the host officials and the AFC over refereeing. Al-Kaf himself had also refereed in some previous AFC Champions League matches. [6]

Snowy conditions

The match was played in heavy snow, under –2°C, which was relatively very cold, and it had been suggested that the match be delayed due to snowfall. [7] However, the AFC turned down the request and ordered the match to continue. After the end of the first half, the AFC asked that the snow be cleared from the field, and it took around thirty minutes to one hour until the match could be continued. [8] It was criticised in the aftermath of the match, both by Uzbek and Vietnamese fans, as both teams were not accustomed to play in such harsh weather conditions. [9]

Uzbekistan's team shirt

In the first half, the Uzbeks were permitted by the AFC to wear all-white, despite heavy snow storms across the city. Because of this, not only the Vietnamese, but even the Uzbek players found themselves very hard to find and see their own players on the field. [1] To solve the problem, the Uzbeks had changed to blue uniforms in the second half of the match. [10]

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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. Archived from the original on 28 August 2018. 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.