But only the 2019 AFC Asian Cup that Vietnam truly began to gain international recognition. With entire of squad made up with the successful U-23 players, the youngest squad in the tournament, Vietnam beat Yemen in their final group matches to become the last best-fourth place team to qualify for the round of sixteen. Then, they surprised everyone by defeating favored Jordan which had previously defeated defending champions Australia and earlier played a friendly match against 2018 FIFA World Cup runners-up Croatia, winning 4–2 in penalty shoot-out. The win sent million of Vietnamese into the street for celebrations. In the quarter-finals, Vietnam met Japan but failed to continue the success after their opponent being awarded a penalty kick which being decided through the video assistant referee (VAR), resulting to a 0–1 score by Ritsu Doan until the final whistle being blown.