Football

Nguyễn Văn Tùng and Khuất Văn Khang (right) have goals nominated among AFC U23 Asian Cup's top eight. Photos of VFF

HÀ NỘI - Goals by two Vietnamese players have been highlighted as among the best of the AFC U23 Asian Cup's group round.

The confederation's football governing body selected eight beautiful goals among 24 scored

The first Vietnamese goal belongs to striker Nguyễn Văn Tùng in the first Group D game against Kuwait on April 17.

"A goal worthy to break any deadlock, Nguyễn Văn Trường’s defence-splitting pass took three Kuwaiti defenders out of the equation and Nguyễn Văn Tùng timed his run to perfection to finish nonchalantly with the outside of his foot," the AFC described on its website.

The second goal was made by midfielder Khuất Văn Khang against Malaysia on April 20.

"Just when the game looked like it was heading to half-time goalless, Khuất Văn Khang came up with the solution for Việt Nam, his sweet left foot strike sending his free-kick into the top corner past Malaysian goalkeeper Azim Al Amin," wrote the confederation.

Speaking about his goal, Khang said: "I am really happy to have a beautiful goal. I practise free kicks regularly in training. I remembered my captain who was also a goalkeeper, Quan Văn Chuẩn, told me that usually the keeper would made a move beforehand in penalties or free kicks and anticipate the direction of the kicks. He told me to shoot to the other corner. And I made it."

Other nominees for top goal were Ahmed Al Rawi and Abdullah Al Yazidi (Qatar), Ruslan Khailoev (Tajikistan), Aiman Yahya (Saudi Arabia), Alibek Davronov (Uzbekistan) and Witan Sulaeman (Indonesia).

Supporters can take part in the vote here.

Việt Nam advanced to the quarter-finals and will play Iraq on April 26.

"Iraq is always strong in West Asia region. They are bigger and taller than Vietnamese. We watch their videos and prepare to play them," said Khang, who hopes to score his second goal. "If I have a free kick chance, I will try my best to get a goal." VNS