>>> Vietnam to meet Lebanon in 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup play-off
>>> Vietnam enter knockout stage at 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup
The first half saw Vietnam take control with constant attacks on the opposing goal; however, Pham Minh Giang’s players could not utilise the created opportunities to bring them off the mark.
Meanwhile, Iraq chose a counterattacking tactic and made good use of Vietnam’s defensive gaps to open the scoring.
Shortly before the break, Duc Hoa shot past the Iraqi goalkeeper to restore parity from a fast-attacking situation.
The equaliser helped Pham Minh Giang’s troops to play more confidently and maintain pressure in the second half.
It was not until the 35th minute that Vietnam materialised their prevalence with Dac Huy heading home to seal them a 2-1 victory.
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Head of the Vietnamese futsal delegation Tran Anh Tu (L) presents a souvenir shirt to the head of the Iraqi delegation. (Photo: VFF)
At the end of the match, head of the Vietnamese delegation Tran Anh Tu praised the fighting spirit of the players, stating that the team’s strong and weak points were revealed quite clearly through the friendly, allowing the coaching staff to make the needed adjustments before entering the World Cup playoff campaign.
Vietnam’s futsal team have travelled to the UAE with 17 players. After the Iraq clash, three players will be eliminated to confirm the official list of 14 players for the two playoff matches against Lebanon on May 23 (first leg) and May 25 (second leg).
A triumph will hand Pham Minh Giang’s side one of the final two Asian tickets to the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup, to be hosted by Lithuania from September 12 to October 3. Meanwhile, the remaining slot will be allocated to the winning team of the playoff between Thailand and Iraq.
Vietnam debuted in the Futsal World Cup arena in 2016 and advanced to the knockout stage as one of the four best third-placed teams.
