Takumi Minamino showcased his prowess by scoring a brace, leading top-seeded Japan to a remarkable comeback against Vietnam with a 4-2 victory in the first round of Group D at the AFC Asian Cup.
Minamino initially gave Japan the lead in the 11th minute, but Vietnam surprised the four-time champions with quick goals from Nguyen Dinh Bac (16th minute) and Pham Tuan Hai (33rd minute). However, Japan responded with determination, equalizing through Minamino in the 45th minute, followed by a brilliant goal from Keito Nakamura just five minutes later.
In the second half, Japan maintained control, securing a 4-2 victory with a late goal from substitute Ayase Ueda in the 86th minute. Minamino acknowledged the resilience of the young Vietnamese team, saying, "I've been playing against Vietnam since I was young, so I know how good a team they can be. I am surprised by how good they are."
Meanwhile, Asian football powerhouse Iran kicked off their AFC Asian Cup campaign with a convincing 4-1 win over Palestine in Group C. With this victory, Iran leads the group by goal difference. The UAE secured a 3-1 win against Hong Kong, China, with two penalties, marking a historic moment for Hong Kong, China, as Chan Siu Kwan Philip scored in their first Asian Cup match in over 55 years. This goal also marked the 1,000th goal in the history of the continental tournament.
(With Agency Inputs)
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