With the presence of Oman, Tajikistan and hosts Turkmenistan, Group A is considered a favourable group for Vietnam, with Pham Minh Giang’s side bidding to secure a World Cup ticket via the tournament.
Accordingly, the top five teams of the continental championship in Turkmenistan will qualify as the AFC representatives for the 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Lithuania.
Two days after the opener against Tajikistan, Vietnam will play Oman, whom they defeated 3-1 in the PTT Thailand Five friendly tournament. Hosts Turkmenistan will be the final challenge for Giang’s troops in the group stage, as the two will clash on March 1.
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All the matches of the 2020 AFC Futsal Championship will take place at the Martial Arts Gymnasium in Ashgabat.
It can be said that the schedule is favourable for the Vietnamese team, as their opponents are arranged in an ascending order of power. Nonetheless, Giang’s troops will have to maintain vigilance and stay focused to ensure a quarterfinal place. If they win the group stage, Vietnam could possibly avoid powerhouses Japan in the knockout round, thus igniting hopes of pocketing a direct ticket to the 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup.
In preparation for the AFC campaign, Vietnam’s futsal team will practise at the Thai Son Nam Gymnasium in Ho Chi Minh City before leaving for an overseas training camp in Spain on February 9. The entire team will travel to Turkmenistan on February 19.
