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AFC.com
Changshu (China)
Bashar Resan's miss from the penalty spot earned Vietnam a place in the semi-finals of the AFC U23 Championship 2018 on Saturday as Park Hang-seo's side defeated former champions Iraq 5-3 in a penalty shootout after an extraordinary 3-3 draw following extra-time to set up a clash with Qatar.
Resan's attempt to float his penalty down the middle of the goal in the opening round of spot-kicks failed to fool goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung and the Vietnamese goalkeeper calmly collected the ball in his arms to, ultimately, seal Vietnam's victory.
The shootout brought a remarkable game to a tense conclusion and sends Vietnam into the last four for the first time ever, and they will take on Qatar in the semi-finals in Changzhou on Tuesday.
Iraq went into the game in confident mood after topping Group D and dictated the opening exchanges but, with Vietnam's defensive discipline to the fore in the early exchanges, there was little Abdulghani Shahad's side could do to find a way through.
Indeed, it was the Vietnamese who took the lead with just 12 minutes on the clock after Iraq's defence failed to clear a corner. The ball fell to Phan Van Duc, whose mis-hit attempt at an overhead kick landed at the feet of Nguyen Cong Phuong, who scored past Ahmed Basil from inside the six-yard box.
Undeterred Iraq continued to push forward and their pressure paid off in the 29th minute when Aymen Hussein was fouled in the box and referee Christopher Beath pointed to the spot. Hussein converted to level the scores.
Iraq took a 2-1 lead when Hussein headed in Resan's corner. Vietnam, however, were level again in the 108th minute as Basil's mistake gifted possession to Nguyen Quang Hai, and he set up Van Duc to score.
Ha Duc Chinh headed home Luong Xuan Truong's corner to put Vietnam 3-2 ahead, only for parity to be restored yet again with four minutes remaining as Alaa Mhawi struck from a tight angle, sending the game into a shoot-out.
That left Resan to fluff his lines, missing with his penalty in the first round as all five Vietnamese penalty takers held their nerve from 12 yards to claim a famous win. Vietnam will now meet Qatar, who are undefeated in the tournament, in the semis on Tuesday.
