>>> Vietnam drawn against Japan in final round of World Cup Qualifiers
>>> [Infographic] Vietnam’s Group B fixtures in final round of 2022 World Cup Asian Qualifiers
>>> Head coach names 25-man squad for first match of World Cup qualifiers’ final round
On September 3, the Golden Star Warriors will officially commence their next campaign to hunt for a first-ever berth at the FIFA World Cup. The recent draw saw them drawn alongside powerhouses Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, China and Oman in Group B, while Group A features the remaining six teams, including Asia’s second-ranked Iran, the Republic of Korea, the UAE, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.
Coach Park Hang-seo’s side are considered by the AFC as an unknown entity in Group B. “Having qualified for the final round of the Asian Qualifiers for the first time in their history, and becoming just the second Southeast Asian nation after Thailand to do so, Vietnam are now in uncharted territory. With the exception of Japan, they have not played any of their group opponents in a competitive tie in the last decade.”
Although the Golden Stars Warriors previously conceded two defeats against Saudi Arabia in 2001, it should prove to be an intriguing encounter between them and one of Asia’s traditional heavyweights, the AFC said.
In the article, the AFC reviewed Vietnam’s journey to the final round of the Asian Qualifiers, affirming they will be banking on the stars of their New Golden Generation, which draws from the 2018 AFC U23 Championship runners-up side, to cause a few upsets against more experienced adversaries.
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Striker Nguyen Tien Linh (#22) and midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai (#19) are expected to continue shining in the final round of the Asian Qualifiers. (Photo: AFC)
Talented midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai, striker Nguyen Tien Linh and captain Que Ngoc Hai are the three Vietnamese players expected by the AFC to shine in the final round of the World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Of them, Quang Hai, still 24, is hailed as the biggest name in the team and one of the most exciting attacking midfielders in Asia, while 23-year-old Tien Linh, Vietnam’s top scorer in the previous round of qualifying with five goals, is “starting to solidify his position as Vietnam’s target man”.
Tien Linh’s prolific form – finding the net in all four of Vietnam’s remaining Group G fixtures – will be vital in the fixtures to come, the AFC affirmed.
Meanwhile, captain Ngoc Hai, the rock at the heart of Vietnam’s defence, will have a lot to do as he is set to take on some of the best attackers Asia has to offer, according to the article.
Park’s troops have already arrived in Saudi Arabia to stand ready for their Group B opener against the hosts early on September 3. They will then return home to take on Australia at Hanoi’s My Dinh National Stadium four days later.
