>>> Vietnam coach Park eliminates five players in lineup adjustment for UAE meeting
Hosts Vietnam are in preparations to play UAE (on November 14) and Thailand (on November 19) at Hanoi’s My Dinh National Stadium in their upcoming Group G matches in the second round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers.
Cong Phuong, who is playing on loan to Belgian side Sint-Truidense, and SC Heerenveen’s Van Hau were present at Noi Bai International Airport on Monday morning, after their long flights from Europe.
The duo joined other 23 team members in a training session in the afternoon of the same day. A day earlier, head coach Park Hang-seo made a cut from the 27-member preliminary list to announced the 25-player shortlist in preparation for the next two home games. The final 23-man squad will be announced on November 13, one day ahead of their meeting with the UAE at My Dinh Stadium.
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Belgium-based striker Cong Phuong (No. 10) returns to the national squad to prepare for the coming World Cup qualifiers against UAE and Thailand. (Photo: bongda24h)
Sharing his joy with reporters at an interview before yesterday’s training session, defender Le Van Dai, said: "I am very happy to be selected to the list ahead of the two crunch matches against the two strongest teams in the group. I have tried to adapt to the playstyle and am ready to compete for an official position in the team."
Having been part of the U23 squad who finish runners-up at the 2018 AFC U23 Championship, Dai was granted his first summon by coach Park Hang-seo to the senior team as Vietnam prepare to play UAE on Thursday.
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Defender Le Van Dai during an interview at Vietnam's training camp in Hanoi on November 11, 2019. (Photo: nld.com.vn)
As Vietnam have gathered their full squad, it is time for Park and his players to communicate more thoroughly about the tactics for the important upcoming game. According to Dai, the coach has a plan to deal with UAE and requires the players to keep it confidential.
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SC Heerenveen’s defender Van Hau joins his teammates in Vietnam’s training camp in Hanoi on November 11, 2019. (Photo: bongda24h)
"UAE are a strong team, however, we have carefully studied them and have a plan to deal with their strength. I cannot disclose that plan, but I can confirm that the whole team are ready. We have been well-prepared for over a week and now we are confident to play the big game," the Thanh Hoa FC’s defender said.
Vietnam are in Group G alongside ASEAN rivals Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, along with 2019 AFC Asian Cup hosts UAE. After three matches, Park’s side are locked on seven points with Thailand at the top of the group, only ranked second due to goal difference. UAE are in third with six points after three games.
