Việt Nam's loss ended a Futsal Asian Cup campaign that was somewhat disappointing. However, with injuries plaguing the squad pre-tournament, the defeat left a big "what if" in the minds of fans. Photo VFF

Anh Đức

BANGKOK — The Việt Nam national futsal team lost 2-3 to Kyrgyzstan in the first round of the 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup qualification playoffs on Friday.

The defeat ended Việt Nam's hope of appearing in three consecutive Futsal World Cups.

Diego Giustozzi's men sent Vietnamese fans on a rollercoaster ride, having gone behind early to Alimov, before Nguyễn Mạnh Dũng equalised in the final minutes of the first half.

Makhmadaminov reclaimed Kyrgyzstan's lead in the 24th minute, but Mạnh Dũng again brought Việt Nam back from the brink of defeat, before Talaibekov sealed Kyrgyzstan's victory just moments before the match ended.

Diego Giustozzi's side had the upper hand against their opponents, but in the ninth minute, conceded a goal from a counterattack. Maksat Alimov's shot from the counter rebounded off Thịnh Phát, and Alimov quickly seized the second chance to tap in the opener.

Four minutes later, Việt Nam got the equaliser, when Mạnh Dũng's powerful shot from ten metres hit keeper Akmataliev's arm and slipped into the bottom corner of the net.

Kyrgyzstan fought hard in the second half for their chance to enter their first ever Futsal World Cup, and their hopes were drawing closer with Shokhrukh Makhmadaminov's goal in the 24th minute. A finish of pure class from the Kyrgyz player left Hồ Văn Ý with zero chance.

With nothing left to lose, Việt Nam switched to power play in the final minutes. The strategy worked as Mạnh Dũng completed his brace to equalise for Việt Nam, two minutes before full time.

Although the penalty shootout was nearing, Việt Nam kept the power play strategy, looking for a deciding goal. This time, the play bit them in the back, and granted Kyrgyzstan the winning goal instead, as Daniiar Talaibekov stole the ball from Anh Huy and shot from the middle of the field into Việt Nam's empty net.

The heartbreaking goal sent Giustozzi kneeling in agony, and his players in the bench angrily threw their bibs. Việt Nam got another chance for an equaliser with two seconds to go, but Từ Minh Quang's near post shot unfortunately hit the bar and Kyrgyzstan advanced into the second round.

Việt Nam's loss ended a Futsal Asian Cup campaign that was somewhat disappointing. However, with injuries plaguing the squad pre-tournament, the defeat left a big "what if" in the minds of fans.

Although the team might not have made it to their third consecutive Futsal World Cup, the defeats are necessary to facilitate a change for the players and the futsal scene as a whole. — VNS