2026 AFC Futsal Championship: Vietnam narrowly loses to host nation, exiting at the Quarterfinals

Facing immense pressure from over 15,000 fans at Indonesia Arena, Coach Diego Giustozzi’s squad fought hard but couldn’t pull off an upset, losing 2-3 and ending their run at the quarterfinal stage.

Right after the kickoff, the home team Indonesia quickly pushed forward, applied aggressive pressing, and made excellent use of their home advantage. In the 4th minute, from a well-executed sideline play, Brian Ick struck with a one-touch shot. The ball slightly deflected off a Vietnamese player, catching goalkeeper Văn Tú off guard and giving Indonesia an early 1-0 lead.

The early goal boosted Indonesia’s confidence as they played increasingly assertively. Meanwhile, Vietnam also launched notable counterattacks. Minh Quang and Ngọc Ánh both tested their luck with powerful long-range shots, but Indonesia’s goalkeeper Habiebie remained focused and solid.

In the 11th minute, a midfield error cost Vietnam dearly. Đa Hải lost possession, allowing Indonesia to launch a swift counterattack. Adriansyah Nur easily tapped the ball into an open net, extending the score to 2-0.

In the final minutes of the first half, Coach Giustozzi had to adjust the lineup, bringing on experienced World Cup players like Đoàn Phát, Thịnh Phát, Thái Huy, and Gia Hưng. Vietnam increased pressure and created several dangerous chances, but rushed finishing prevented them from narrowing the gap before halftime.

In the second half, Vietnam raised the tempo, continuously attacking Indonesia’s goal. In the 25th minute, their persistent pressing paid off. Đoàn Phát successfully stole the ball and delivered a precise pass for Đa Hải to calmly finish, reducing the deficit to 1-2 and reigniting hope for the red-shirted players.
However, before they could sustain the momentum, Vietnam’s defense left gaps. Just seconds after their goal, Gunawan capitalized on the opponent’s lapse in concentration, scoring to make it 3-1 for Indonesia.

In the remaining minutes, Vietnam threw everything into attack. Đoàn Phát, Mạnh Dũng, Đa Hải, and Ngọc Ánh repeatedly fired dangerous shots, but goalkeeper Habiebie had an outstanding game, denying all chances. In the 31st minute, Habiebie even got injured and had to leave the field, yet Indonesia still maintained their advantage.

Time passed with Coach Giustozzi growing anxious. From the 35th minute, Vietnam began playing power play, with Minh Quang donning the goalkeeper jersey. This tactic proved effective as nearly a minute later, Vietnam scored again. A coordinated move near the sideline created an opportunity for Đa Hải to shoot from a tight angle, sending the ball onto the top of Indonesia’s net.

In the following minutes, Indonesian players deliberately controlled possession to run down the clock, making it harder for Vietnam to execute their power play strategy.

In the end, Vietnam lost narrowly to Indonesia 2-3, officially ending their journey at the 2026 AFC Futsal Championship.

Although they didn’t reach the semifinals, Coach Giustozzi’s team showed many positive signs, especially their fighting spirit and ambition to rise at the continental level as a young squad.