Vietnam saw off Qatar on penalties in the semifinals of the 2018 AFC U23 Championship in China on Tuesday, reaching the historic final game.

Both sides drew 2-2 in 120 minutes before the Golden Stars beat Qatar 4-3 in the penalty shootout.

Qatar took the lead with a controversial penalty in the 39th minute, before Nguyen Quang Hai leveled the game 24 minutes later, right footing a shot from the center of the box to the bottom left corner.

Vietnam's Cong Phuong (right) fights for the ball in their semifinal match against Qatar at the 2018 AFC U23 Championship in China on January 23, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Vietnam and Qatar then pushed the game forward, with the Qataris taking the lead again when it was only three minutes left of official time.

The fearless Golden Stars remained calm and Nguyen Quang Hai netted his second goal, curving the ball from outside the box.

No more goal was scored in extra time and Vietnam again had to decide their fate in a penalty shootout.

Vietnam and Qatar players fight for the ball in their semifinal match at the 2018 AFC U23 Championship in China on January 23, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The Golden Stars beat Iraq 5-3 in a tense shootout to advance into the last four on Saturday last week.

Vietnam’s goalie Bui Tien Dung neutralized two shots by Qatar, while the young Vietnamese only wasted their chance in the first round.

The other semi between South Korea and Uzbekistan takes place at 6:30 pm (Vietnam time).

Vietnam will take on either of them in the finale on January 27.

Vietnam's Nguyen Quang Hai (right) celebrates after the second goal in their match against Qatar in the semifinals of the 2018 AFC U23 Championship in China on January 23, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre