The UAE had the upper hand over Vietnam in the first half but still failed to open the scoreboard.

In early moments of the second half, the video assistant referee (VAR) technology was needed to check for a penalty as Ali Saleh of the UAE was tackled by Huynh Tan Sinh at the edge of the box.

Vietnamese captain Nguyen Quang Hai (No 19 in red) in action.

The referee had pointed to the spot, but the VAR check only led to a free kick, which Ali Saleh created trouble for Vietnam but goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung punched the powerful strike out.

At the 86th minute, Vietnamese captain Nguyen Quang Hai got into the box but his shot was blocked, while Nguyen Tien Linh’s follow-up hit straight at the UAE’s goalie.

Vietnam were runners-up of the continental football tourney two years ago. This time, they are pooled with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Jordan and the UAE in the group stage.

They are scheduled to play Jordan on January 13 and the DPRK three days later.

Group-stage fixtures at 2020 AFC U23 Championship

The 2020 AFC U23 Championship is taking place in Thailand from January 8 to 26, with Park Hang-seo’s Vietnamese side having been drawn against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Jordan and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPR Korea) in Group D.

Vietnam ready for 2020 AFC Futsal Championship finals

Vietnam’s national futsal team are ready for the 2020 AFC Futsal Championship finals to be held in Turkmenistan from February 26 to March 8.

Captain Quang Hai vows to achieve best result at 2020 AFC U23 Championship

Vietnam U23 team’s captain, Nguyen Quang Hai, has expressed his confidence in joining his teammates to play their best at the 2020 AFC U23 Championship, which will kick-start in Thailand in a couple of days.

Vietnam strong candidates to win 2020 AFC U23 Championship

After the consecutive great successes under the helm of coach Park Hang-seo in the last two years, Vietnam are being highly praised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) as one of the top contenders for the 2020 AFC U23 Championship title.

Hai’s goal selected as iconic strike at AFC U23 Champs

Vietnamese midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai’s goal in the final between Vietnam and Uzbekistan in the AFC U23 Championship 2018 has been selected as one of the event's eight most iconic goals ever by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Source: VNA