Coach Park hails Vietnamese players after miracle journey at World Cup qualifiers

Head coach Park Hang-seo has voiced his gratitude for the relentless efforts made by the players, assistant coaches and other members of the Vietnamese team in the build-up to the country’s maiden progression into the final round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

The Vietnamese team have made it through to the final round of the 2022 World Cup Asian Qualifiers for the first time. (Photo: VFF)
The Vietnamese team have made it through to the final round of the 2022 World Cup Asian Qualifiers for the first time. (Photo: VFF)

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The Golden Star Warriors had a miracle journey in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), winning two of their three games to secure second place in Group G, progressing as one of the five best runners-up.

The whole team have been put under concentrated COVID-19 quarantine in Ho Chi Minh City since their return from the World Cup qualifying campaign a few days ago. Tomorrow, they will be sampled for RT-PCR testing before returning to their residences for continuous quarantine and health monitoring.

In a letter sent to the squad members, Park thanked them all for their resilient fighting spirit and attempts, highlighting each member’s collectiveness, responsibility and dedication en route to securing Vietnam’s first-ever place in the final round of the World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

“On the occasion, I want to convey a message that I will never forget your hard work,” the Korean tactician affirmed.

“In the short period of rest to come, forget the fatigue of the matches or training programs, and enjoy the joyful and happy moments with your family.

Head coach Park Hang-seo thanks the players for their relentless efforts in the recent World Cup qualifying campaign.

“I hope that you will always work as hard as you do now with the pride of being a member of a team that has written a new page in the history of Vietnamese football,” he said.

Park vowed to try his best to fulfill all the assignments with the highest level of responsibility.

The coach also reminded his players of their next goal which is to successfully conquer the final round of the World Cup Qualifiers – a campaign predicted to be full of difficulties.

“We still have a lot of work to do, and have to make preparations from the present time. We are going to take on the leading Asian teams this September, and more than ever, we have to focus, regarding our physical, mental and tactical prowess.”

However, Park affirmed that the solidarity and efforts, as demonstrated in recent times, will continue to help the Golden Star Warriors achieved their set goal.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced that the draw for the final round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 1 instead of June 24 as initially scheduled.

The 12 teams that advanced from the second round (the seven group winners excluding Qatar and the five best group runners-up) will be drawn into two groups of six teams to play home-and-away round-robin matches.

The top two teams of each group will directly qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the two third-placed teams will advance to the fourth round, where they will play to determine which team will advance to the intercontinental play-off.