Despite putting up a solid performance, Viet Nam still lost 0-1 to Saudi Arabia in their match in Group B of the final round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers at Ha Noi-based My Dinh National Stadium on November 16 evening.

Viet Nam lose 0-1 to Saudi Arabia in their match in Group B of the final round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers at Ha Noi-based My Dinh National Stadium on November 16 evening. (Photo: VNA)

In the 5^th minute, Saudi Arabia almost scored after a dangerous cross from the right flank. Luckily, there were no player that could touch the ball inside the box.

One minute later, Viet Nam's Nguyen Cong Phuong broke through the defense and made a shot but it didn't hit the target. Cong Phuong received a yellow card after his foul in the midfield in the 8^th minute.

In the 11^th minute, Viet Nam's main striker Nguyen Tien Linh picked up a long pass from Nguyen Quang Hai and got a chance to face the keeper, but he was offside.

Viet Nam didn't approach the game defensively as usual. Although Saudi Arabia are still on the front foot here, Viet Nam are doing well to soak up the pressure and then spring forward dangerously.

In just five minutes, Saudi Arabia keeper Mohammed Al-Rubaie had to block two shots from set-pieces of Viet Nam.

In the 22nd minute, Quang Hai dribbled past a midfielder then let it fly with an ambitious effort that never looked likely to go in.

Five minutes later, Tien Linh picked up a long pass again and he was once again offside.

After half an hour into the game, Viet Nam committed six fouls while Saudi Arabia had three.

In the 31^st minute, a cross from the right flank found Saleh Al-Shehri as he headed it in. Keeper Bui Tan Truong tried to save the ball but it already went over the line.

Saudi Arabia did well to work the ball into the box as attackers darted along the goal-line and one of them found the net.

In the 38th minute, Viet Nam’s captain Que Ngoc Hai received a yellow card after a heated situation and he will miss the next match. Saudi Arabia captain Salman Al-Faraj also copped himself a yellow for fouling Cong Phuong.

There is only one additional minute in the first half. After the first 45 minutes, Saudi Arabia led Viet Nam by one goal.

Just two minutes into the second half, Al-Shehri almost scored again with a tap-in, but keeper Truong was quick to the action and caught the ball cleanly.

After that, Saudi Arabia increased pressure on Viet Nam even though they were taking the lead.

In the 69^th minute, captain Ngoc Hai caught a volley right at the edge of the box but his bouncing effort went wide of goal.

In the 78^th minute, Nguyen Thanh Chung was robbed of possession and Saudi Arabia netted again with a tap-in. However, after reviewing the situation on VAR, the referee called off the goal as Chung was fouled.

Four minutes later, Thanh Chung got a yellow after trying to stop an attack. Freekick for Saudi Arabia.

And three minutes afterwards, the referee gave Nguyen Van Toan a yellow for diving inside the box.

Four minutes were added to the second half. In the 92nd minute, Phan Van Duc was put in a comfortable position to shoot, but he didn't hit the target.

Two minutes later, the ball found Van Duc's head again from a corner but it didn't go in. That was also the last chance for Viet Nam in the game.

With this defeat, Viet Nam remained at the bottom of Group B after losing all six matches, while Saudi Arabia strengthened their top position with 16 points.

Source: VNA