Vietnam 1 2 Uzbekistan: Vietnam comes second at Asian U23 Championship

Vietnam finished second in the AFC U23 final against Uzbekistan after the latter scored in the last minute of extra time, brining the score to 1-2.

In addition to silver medals, the Vietnamese team also received the Fair Play Award for its performance throughout the competition, which took place in China.

It is the first time a Vietnamese national team has made it this far in a continental championship, attracting attention from global football fans.

In snowy conditions at the Changzhou Olympic Sports Center, it was Uzbek defender Rustamjon Ashurmatov who scored first with a header in the 8th minute.

More than half an hour later, Vietnam's midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai equalized with a free kick. It was his fifth goal at the game, making him one of the top scorers at the Asian championship.

The match remained goalless during the second half, forcing the teams to play extra time. In the 120th minute, Uzbekistan's striker Andrey Sidorov scored their second goal, making the team champions of the 2018 U23 Asian Cup.

Sidorov replaced Javokhir Sidikov in the 118th minute of the match.

"We were so close," Quang Hai said looking sad after the match. "We could have played better but we failed."

"We have no words to thank the fans. They've been beyond marvelous. We got this far thanks to the fans who have always stood by our side," Quang Hai added.

After losing, Vietnam's Korean coach Park Hang-seo was seen surrounded by his players shouting "Why do we have to keep our heads down?" while beating his chest. "We don't have to keep our heads down because we've tried our best."

Coach Park and the players then proceeded to thank their supporters at the stadium.

"They have never played in such weather condition. It was our biggest challenge, said the coach. "He had to give up on our signature style and found it difficult to adapt to weather conditions." It was snowing throughout the match and temperatures were freezing.

"In over 40 years of coaching, this is the tournament I am most proud of," said Park who was assistant to Dutch coach Guus Hiddink during the 2002 World Cup where South Korea finished fourth, the biggest achievement of the team.

"I'd like to thank my players; it's them who created these memorable moments for me."

Nguyen Quang Hai, in No.19 T-shirt, reacts after scoring one goal for Vietnam from a free kick. Photo by VnExpress

Football fans in Hanoi celebrating as midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai scored at minute 41. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy

The mother of midfielder Bui Tien Dung fainted at home in Ha Tinh Province in central Vietnam as U-23 Vietnam scored the first goal. Photo by VnExpress/Duc Hung

Vietnamese fans at the stadium in Chuangzhou, China cheer to Vietnam's first goal. Photo by VnExpress

Fans react to the game as they watch live from Quang Nam Province in central Vietnam. Photo by VnExpress/Dac Thanh

The game started at 3 p.m. amid heavy snow despite earlier news that the weather condition might threaten to delay the match. The Vietnamese team was in their official color red.

Vietnamese fans carry the banner saying "U23 Vietnam wins" to the stadium in Chuangzhou, amid heavy snow. Photo by VnExpress

Vietnam, considered the underdog at the beginning of the Asia Federation Corporation (AFC) game, has won numerous “wows” by winning its bigger competitors to earn the place close to the champion cup. The team defeated Australia 1-0 in the group stage. They won Iraq in the quarterfinals and Qatar in the semifinals with penalty shootouts.

The Saturday match was not the first time the two teams have met.

Just last month, Vietnam’s U23 team lost 1-2 to Uzbekistan U23 at the M150-Cup in Thailand. Uzbekistan then went on to defeat Japan in the final, while Vietnam came third after beating Thailand.

At this year's AFC U23 cup, Uzbekistan has fared better in terms of goals stats than the more defensively minded Vietnam.

Many fans saw Uzbekistan as a tough player with better physical strength and possibly skills as well. But many believed in the fighting spirit of coach Park Hang-Seo’s forces and the unexpected results they have brought prior to the final.

In Hanoi and Saigon, fans had brought red flags and T-shirts to the streets, after the official color of the Vietnamese team.

Vietnamese football fans gather ahead of the final match on Nguyen Hue walking street in Saigon. Photo by VnExpress/Thanh Nguyen

Football fans outside My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Pham Du

Houses of captain Luong Xuan Truong and goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung in northern rural Vietnam were packed with fans while the streets saw the biggest crowds ever.

Football fans gather the house of goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung in the north-central province of Thanh Hoa. Photo by VnExpress

Entering the final game of an Asian championship is the best achievement in the football history of Vietnam as well as the Southeast Asia.