(Source: afc.com)

With the 4-3 shootout in favor of Vietnam after a 2-2 draw, they become the first Southeast Asian team to reach the final of the competition. Vietnam will now face Uzbekistan in the final on Saturday. 

Earlier, the US’s AP News Agency praised coach Park Hang-seo as “The Asian Hiddink” after the spectacular performance of Vietnam’s U23 team at the 2018 AFC U23 Championship. AP recalled that Park was a member of Dutch coach Guus Hiddink’s coaching staff when South Korea reached the 2002 World Cup semifinals. Park has received praise from Vietnamese fans and media for his friendly manner and putting his hand on his chest during the Vietnamese national anthem.

In Seoul, Park’s exploits with Vietnam have been widely covered, with commentators observing that he is now forging a legend of his own by injecting confidence and discipline into a team that has always had talent. Park says the team knows there is still a lot of work to do, but they are ready for anything.