World Cup qualifiers

Preview: Vietnam on the verge of making history

Tonight (June 15), coach Park Hang-seo’s Vietnamese side will head into the closing game against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the second round of the World Cup Asian qualifiers knowing that they are on the brink of making history.

The Golden Star Warriors are ready to make history with a first-ever place in the final round of the World Cup qualifiers. (Photo: VFF)
The Golden Star Warriors are ready to make history with a first-ever place in the final round of the World Cup qualifiers. (Photo: VFF)

>>> FIFA encourages Vietnam ahead of important World Cup qualifier against UAE

>>> UAE’s attacking power not yet the best, says Park Hang-seo

With two draws and five victories, including the two recent wins over eliminated Indonesia (4-0) and Malaysia (2-1), the Golden Star Warriors are sitting on top of a tricky Group G, leading hosts UAE by two points and the likes of Thailand and Malaysia by eight points. A draw against The Whites will see Vietnam through to the final round of the World Cup qualifiers for the first time.

Despite conceding a 0-1 defeat to Park’s troops at My Dinh Stadium (Hanoi) in November 2019, the UAE are still in the group of the second strongest teams in Asia, only after World Cup regulars Japan, the Republic of Korea, Iran or Australia.

The UAE-Vietnam meeting tonight will be different with the first welcoming the return of forward Ali Mabkhout, who was missing as the two sides met in the first leg. Mabkhout is currently leading the scoring chart in the World Cup qualifiers for netting ten times after just six matches. Moreover, coach Bert van Marwijk has added two naturalised wingers Fabio de Lima and Caio Canedo. These spearheads will challenge the real power of Vietnam’s defensive line.

Difficulties are anticipated for Vietnam as they have to take on a UAE side who are demonstrating dreadful power in the qualifying campaign blasting wide-margin wins against Indonesia (5-0), Thailand (3-1) and Malaysia (4-0) in their last three group matches.

To avoid risks when competing against other group runners-up for a place in the next round, Marwijk’s troops will surely head into the decisive clash at Zabeel Stadium with strong determination to clinch the full three points.

The head-to-head record is in favour of the UAE as they have won four, drawn one and lost two from seven meetings with Vietnam thus far since 2002. Ahead of tonight’s game, Bert van Marwijk showed great confidence and affirmed that the UAE are now much more powerful than they were in the first leg.

“The Tuesday clash is very important, but I know what to do. There are no doubts that everything will not be easy at all. However, the UAE will play our familiar football and win the game.”

With just two points separating the sides going into the final matchday, it will practically be like a play-off game between Vietnam and the UAE. The Golden Star Warriors will need one point from tonight’s UAE clash to book their maiden final-round slot. Despite this fact, in his address at the pre-match press conference on Monday, head coach Park Hang-seo affirmed that the Golden Star Warriors will not enter the game with the idea of just managing a draw.

“We think the UAE are not yet the team with the strongest attacking line, because we previously met Iraq and Iran. Many say we have the most solid defence, but this is also not sure. What’s the most important is that Vietnam will try to play according to our prepared tactics. Tomorrow’s match will be tough. I don’t want the players to think that they will just need a draw to top Group G.”

The Korean coach affirmed Vietnam will not change their tactics and has prepared for the goal of bagging the full three points against the UAE.

Favourite Nguyen Quang Hai (no. 19) will return as Park Hang-seo's side take on the UAE in their decisive game on Tuesday night.

Excluding the case of Nguyen Tuan Anh who is quite unlikely to start tonight due to injury, Park’s side will welcome back important player Nguyen Quang Hai from yellow-card suspension. The return of the talisman is expected to diversify and strengthen Vietnam’s offensive line when confronting a UAE side known for their dreadful attacking power.

The defensive line, comprising in-form goalkeeper Bui Tan Truong and three centre backs Bui Tien Dung, Que Ngoc Hai and Do Duy Manh, will put up an “inviolable fortress” in front of the Vietnamese goal. Meanwhile, the volatility of wingers Doan Van Hau, Nguyen Trong Hoang, Phan Van Duc, and Luong Xuan Truong as well as the scoring instinct of attacking spearheads Nguyen Cong Phuong, Nguyen Van Toan and Nguyen Tien Linh will be the weapons helping Vietnam to achieve a good result against the UAE.

With Park to be banned from the technical area for the UAE match as a result of his two yellow cards, assistant coach Lee Young-jin will take over the role of directly instructing the Golden Star Warriors. Regarding the issue, Park affirmed his absolute trust in Lee as saying that the assistant coach is competent enough to give instructions during the match.

Given the Golden Star Warriors’ resilient fighting spirit and thorough preparations, the whole Vietnamese people believe that Park’s troops will continue to sail through the UAE challenge as what they did 18 months ago, thus booking a first-ever place in the final round of the World Cup qualifiers.

With a two-point lead at the top, Vietnam are holding the right to decide their own destiny in the race for a slot in the next round of the World Cup qualifiers.