Uzbek players have achieved remarkable progress after they finished fourth at the recent 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, while Vietnamese players are not in good form.

Striker Huynh Nhu’s return also did not help the Vietnamese team improve their performance. Coach Mai Duc Chung and his team could not get good results against their hosts 16 places lower on the FIFA rankings.

The visitors entered the game slowly but gradually sped up the tempo, hoping to control the game. When they could not carve out scoring chances, they suddenly conceded a goal due to distraction in the defensive line in the 30th minute.  Khabibullaeva Diyorakhon took advantage of the opportunity and lifted the ball past goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh to open the score.

After the goal, Chung’s players applied high press tactics, trying to bring to bear pressure on their hosts. However, Huynh Nhu and her teammates could not turn their scoring chances into reality due to poor coordination.

Meanwhile, the hosts almost extended their lead in the close-rang shots in the penalty box. It was goalkeeper Kim Thanh who successfully repelled the shots.

After the break, the Vietnamese players continued to take control of the game, pushing their hosts into their home turf. My Anh and Thanh Nha were sent in to support left wing attacks, while striker Huynh Nhu made fans regretful with her free kick hitting the post.

The hosts did not dare to launch an attack, and instead they retreated to consolidate the defensive line and preserve the score.

The 0-1 loss to Uzbekistan has jeopardized Vietnam’s chance to enter the next qualifying round as they are to face off powerhouses Japan and India in the coming matches.