Vietnam beat Jordan on penalties to book Asian Cup quarterfinal berth

Tien Dung sent Jordan keeper Amer Shafi the wrong way from the penalty spot, sealing a nail-biting 4-2 shootout win for the Golden Dragons.

This is the second time that Vietnam have booked a place in the Asian Cup quarterfinals, after the first time in 2007.

Vietnam proactively put up pressure right from the first whistle, creating numerous difficulties for Jordan to implement their attacks.

After a slow start, Jordan gradually gained a foothold, and had a glorious chance to go ahead in the 17thminute, with Yousef Rawshdeh stealing the ball and driving a left-footed shot in the box forcing Vietnam keeper Dang Van Lam to make a save.

Vietnam almost opened the scoring after 35 minutes, as Van Hau chipped a through ball to Cong Phuong before getting back the ball from the no. 10 striker and testiing Jordanian keeper Amer Shafi with a left-footed shot at the bottom left corner.

Jordan broke the deadlock four minutes later, with Baha Abdel-Rahman receiving the ball from the edge of the box and curled it into the far top corner to put Jordan in front.

Vietnam came very close to equalising the score a few minutes before the interval, with Do Hung Dung’s curler from outside the box parried to safety by goalie Shafi in the 43rd minute before Nguyen Trong Hoang fired a powerful rocket from more than 35 yards on the stroke of half time, which was again stopped by the brilliant Jordanian custodian.

The Golden Dragons began the second half strongly and needed just six minutes to earn an equaliser. Midfielder Trong Hoang delivered a favourable cross into the box, which was successfully converted by Cong Phuong with a brilliant touch from close range, leaving no chance for Shafi to manage a save.

The timely equaliser, which put an end to Jordan’s clean sheet record since the beginning of the tournament, helped relieve pressure from Park’s side, inspiring them to play more confidently and comfortably.

The following minutes saw the AFF Cup champions put Jordan’s goal in constant danger, with Tien Dung heading over the crossbar in the 58th minute and Hung Dung firing a powerful strike from outside the box that was parried by goalie Shafi.

Vietnam overwhelm Jordan during the 90 official minutes with seven shots (of the total 18) on target. (Photo: AFC)

The 1-1 score remained unchanged in the remainder of the match and throughout 30 minutes of extra time, forcing both teams into a penalty shootout during which Vietnam were the winners with four successful converters compared to just two by the Jordanian side.

Vietnamese players celebrate after winning the ticket to the 2019 Asian Cup quarterfinals. (Photo: FOX Sports Asia)

In the quarterfinals, Park Hang-seo’s troops will face the winners of the Round of 16 clash between Japan and Saudi Arabia.

Vietnam goalkeeper Dang Van Lam saves Ahmed Saleh’s spot-kick during the penalty shootout. (Photo: AFC)

Jordan react after losing the penalty shoot-out to Vietnam. (Photo: AFC)