HANOI, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Visitors Japan edged Vietnam 1-0 on Thursday in the final round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi.
The visitors took the lead on a swift counterattack in the 17th minute, with Takumi Minamino making a sharp run down the left side of the box before putting it on a plate for Junya Ito on the far post.
Right before the half-time whistle, Ito twisted the Vietnamese defense inside and out before thumping the ball home. However, the goal was denied after a VAR review for offside.
Facing a superior Japan side, several attacking substitutions helped Vietnam create more chances in the second half but none were converted. Substitute Luong Xuan Truong had a dig in the 89th minute, but the ball sailed high.
Vietnam is yet to gain a single point in the final round of the qualifiers, while Japan is at nine points after three wins out of five. Enditem