Bui Hoang Viet Anh: 'We played well but the goals didn't come'

Qatar Center-back Bui Hoang Viet Anh was disappointed when Vietnam lost 0-1 to Indonesia and was eliminated from the group stage of the 2023 Asian Cup.

"I am very sad and regretful," Viet Anh said after the match at Abdulla bin Khalifa Stadium on the evening of January 19. "The whole team played well in the second half, but the goal did not come."

The 1999-born midfielder said he and his teammates set a goal of winning this match to keep their hopes alive after losing to Japan in the opening match. However, Indonesia started the first half well by pushing up their formation and launching a variety of attacks, surprising Vietnam. In the second half, coach Philippe Troussier's team regained control of the game and created many opportunities in the first 20 minutes but could not capitalize.

Bui Hoang Viet Anh (No. 20) was disappointed when Vietnam lost 0-1 to Indonesia in the second match of Group D of the 2023 Asian Cup. Photo: Lam Thoa

Things got even more difficult when substitute midfielder Le Pham Thanh Long tackled Marselino Ferdinan and received a second yellow card in the first minute of stoppage time in the second half. The last dangerous chance Vietnam created in the remaining minutes was a tight free kick from the left by Vu Van Thanh, but goalkeeper Ernando Ari jumped to block.

According to Sofascore , Viet Anh is the second highest rated Vietnamese player with 7.3 points, just behind goalkeeper Nguyen Filip with 7.6 points. However, a mistake by his partner Nguyen Thanh Binh made Vietnam pay the price with a penalty in the 41st minute. From here, Asnawi Mangkualam defeated goalkeeper Nguyen Filip to score the only goal.

Viet Anh shared: "I hope fans will continue to accompany the team. In the coming time, we will definitely have a very different face and will improve to aim for future success."

Indonesia 1-0 Vietnam — Main events of the match Vietnam lost to Indonesia 0-1

This is the first time Vietnam has lost to Indonesia since the 1-2 defeat in the first leg of the AFF Cup 2016 semi-finals. The defeat left Vietnam at the bottom of Group D without a point. The team is three points behind Indonesia and Japan, while losing the head-to-head match, so they are certain to be eliminated from the group stage. This is the first time Vietnam has stopped in the group stage of the Asian Cup after reaching the quarter-finals in 2007 and 2019.

Indonesia finished third behind Japan due to an inferior goal difference (-1 vs. +1). The two teams will battle for second place in the group on January 24.

Hieu Luong

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