>>> World Cup qualifiers: Vietnam rout Indonesia 4-0 to solidify top spot
>>> Vietnam back to training to prepare for Malaysia clash
On June 7, the AFF Cup champions comfortably swept aside Indonesia with a score of 4-0 to further solidify their top spot, marking the third consecutive game in the ongoing World Cup qualifying campaign where Vietnam’s defensive line has silenced their opponents’ strikers.
Earlier, Park’s troops edged past the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 1-0 and drew 0-0 with Thailand. Overall, Vietnam has kept a clean sheet for five of their past six group matches, scoring nine times and conceding just once – in their away clash to Indonesia on October 15, 2019, when forward Bachdim earned a consolation goal for the hosts (Indonesia 1-3 Vietnam).
In addition to Vietnam, continental powerhouses Japan and Qatar are the only others of the 40 participating teams to have conceded just one goal. Both Japan and Qatar have already been guaranteed the top spot with an unassailable lead in their groups.
The Republic of Korea are the only team to have kept a clean sheet up until now, having gone all four group matches without conceding a single goal (three wins and one draw).
Cambodia has the most fragile defence in the ongoing World Cup Asian qualifying campaign conceding 34 goals in seven matches (an average of nearly five goals per game).
In their remaining Group G clashes, Vietnam will face opponents with a quality attacking line, namely Malaysia and the UAE. In particular, the UAE have scored seven goals in their last two games.
Nonetheless, with a solidly built defence, home fans are awaiting Park Hang-seo’s troops harvesting of positive results and a first-ever place in the last round of the World Cup qualifiers for Vietnamese football.
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The Vietnamese players have returned to training in preparation for their next Group G match against Malaysia, scheduled for June 11.
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Park Hang-seo's side are holding a two-point lead at the top of Group G.
