Three goals, scored by Do Duy Manh, Que Ngoc Hai and Nguyen Tien Linh, earned the Golden Dragons a convincing 3-1 win at Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium in Bali on Tuesday night, thus putting an end to their winless run on Indonesia’s home pitch over recent years.
Despite not yet enough to help Vietnam clinch the top spot in Group G, the wide-margin win against Indonesia has moved Park’s troops to third among the runner-up teams after the fourth matchday.
Vietnam have gained seven points and possess a goal difference of +3 after three games, behind China and Jordan, who have better goal differences of +12 and +4, respectively, but place above the DPR Korea who have the same goal difference of +3 but have scored one goal fewer.
As planned, the Vietnamese team will reconvene in early November 11 to prepare for the next two group fixtures against the United Arab Emirates (Nov. 14) and Thailand (Nov. 19), both at Hanoi’s My Dinh Stadium. These are the two important clashes that will significantly impact the three teams’ chance to conquer Group G’s top spot.
If Vietnam can remain the third best second-placed team until the end of the second qualifying round, Park’s side will qualify for the final round of the 2022 World Cup Asian qualifies, because as regulated by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the eight group winners and the four best runner-up finishers will progress.
Should Qatar, the hosts of the 2022 World Cup, win Group E or be among the four best runners-up, the fifth best second-place team will take Qatar’s place in the third round of the World Cup qualifiers.
 |
Ranking of the second-placed teams after the fourth matchday.
* Park Hang-seo satisfied with 3-1 away win against Indonesia
* International media praises Vietnam's excellent form after 3-1 win over Indonesia
