Vietnam lost 2-3 to hosts Indonesia in their qualifying match on Sunday, but they won a slot in the 2023 AFC U20 Asian Cup as one of the five best second-placed teams from the 10 groups.

Indonesia also qualified as Group F winners, with nine points after three rounds, or three points more than Vietnam.

Both teams came into the tie with two wins each but neither could find a breakthrough in the opening 45 minutes.

Indonesia gained the upper hand on the hour mark when Marselino Ferdinan evaded his marker at the top of the box before unleashing a powerful shot into the back of the net.

Vietnam drew level six minutes later when Nguyen Thanh Nhan’s close range effort, following a pass from Khuat Van Khang, was turned into the net by Indonesia captain Mohammad Ferarri.

Indonesia tried to put more pressure to seek the winning goal as they subbed in three attackers for three defenders. 

That, however, cost them a goal as Dinh Xuan Tien put Vietnam ahead in the 79th minute.

The hosts equalized just three minutes later with a well-placed header from Ferrari.

Five minutes from the end, substitute Rabbani Tasnim Siddiq hit the winner for Indonesia.

The game ended with a 3-2 victory for the hosts, making them directly qualified for the AFC U20 Asian Cup next year, while Vietnam secured a berth as one of the five best second-placed teams. 

Timor Leste edged Hong Kong 2-1 for third place in another Group F fixture of the night, and both were eliminated. 

The 2023 AFC U20 Asian Cup qualification is an international men’s under-20 football competition held in ten countries from September 10 to October 18 to decide the participating teams of the 2023 AFC U20 Asian Cup in Uzbekistan.

Vietnam were in Group F alongside hosts Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Timor Leste.

Eight other teams - Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Oman, Tajikistan, and Iran - also confirmed their places after finishing top of their groups.

Besides Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan, China, and Syria are the other best runners-up, while Group H teams, consisting Australia, Iraq, India, and hosts Kuwait, will have to endure anxious waits as their games will only be played on October 14-18.

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