(VOVWORLD) - With a 2-1 victory over Malaysia in group G in the 2nd qualifying round for World Cup 2022, Vietnam’s national football team is close to winning a ticket to the next round. It’s the first time the Vietnamese team has had such an opportunity in 8 World Cup qualifying rounds.
 Quang Hai will return to the national squard for the match against the UAE after being banned in the match against Malaysia. (Photo: Yeu Mai) |
The Vietnamese football team now leads group G with 17 points, two points ahead of the UAE. The Vietnamese team has had impressive results – 5 wins and 2 draws, with 11 goals and only 2 conceded goals.
Their match against the UAE early Wednesday morning will decide the winner of group G. If there is a draw, the Vietnamese team will top the group and advance to the next round. If it loses, the Vietnamese team still has a good chance of being one of the 5 teams to advance.
Reporter Minh Hai said: “Our team is not physically stronger than they are but we have unity and cohesion. That’s the foundation for us to compete with the UAE. It will challenge us to demonstrate our ability and advance to the final round of the World Cup.”
Retired footballer Pham Nhu Thuan said: “Malaysia is a strong and experienced team. They caused a lot of problems for the Vietnamese team. We played bravely and our victory gives us a big opportunity to go through to the next round.”
Asia will have 4.5 slots in the 2022 FIFA World Cup – 4 certain slots and a chance at inter-confederation play-off slot. An additional slot is reserved for the host, Qatar. Right now Vietnam is the most likely team in Asia to advance to the 3rd qualifying round.