World Cup qualifiers: UAE respect Vietnamese team

Although being very determined to beat Vietnam in order to secure a place in the final round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifying, the UAE still respect coach Park Hang-seo's side ahead of tomorrow's pivotal match.

The UAE are rated higher than the Vietnamese team, but the hosts are under greater pressure before the “do or die” battle with Park Hang-seo's side. (Photo: UAEFA)
The UAE are rated higher than the Vietnamese team, but the hosts are under greater pressure before the “do or die” battle with Park Hang-seo's side. (Photo: UAEFA)

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After a 5-0 victory over Indonesia on the penultimate Group G matchday, the UAE collected three important points to continue their chase of leaders Vietnam. Park's side are currently leading the group with 17 points after seven matches, two points ahead of second-placed UAE.

Therefore, the confrontation between the top two teams in the last match on the night of June 15 at Zabeel Stadium in Dubai will be decisive in the battle to secure an automatic slot in the next round.

While the Vietnamese team only need at least a draw to keep their top spot, the UAE have no choice but to win if they don't want to fall into the group of runners-up teams and the contest for the five tickets for the five best second-placed teams.

Both the UAE’s coaching staff and players have all admitted that it will not be an easy game for them.

Speaking to the UAE Football Association (UAEFA), midfielder Ali Salmin admitted they will have to face a very strong opponent: " We know that it will not be an easy task, we are playing against the strongest team in the group.”

Knowing the confrontation with the Vietnamese team is a "do or die” mission for the hosts, the 26-year-old midfielder also emphasised that Vietnam had so far collected 17 points, and the UAE need to respect their opponents as well as fight hard to win the match.

The current rankings in Group G of the second qualifying round for the 2022 World Cup Asian qualifiers. (Photo: AFC)

Meanwhile, midfielder Abdullah Ramadan also thought it would not be easy for UAE to beat Vietnam. "Our opponents showed a high level of performance in their previous matches qualifiers, collecting 17 points, to lead the group," said the 1998-born player.

Ramadan emphasised that all the UAE players are aware of the importance of the upcoming match, and that they have no option but to win this match to qualify for the next round.

Head coach Bert van Marwijk also warned his players to focus on the important match against Vietnam. “We still have one final big game against Vietnam to finish the job… Vietnam and Thailand are two of the most difficult teams in this group. We are fully aware of the abilities of Vietnam and our aim is to win this final game,” said the veteran strategist.

Although the UAE are considered favourites, and have also shown impressive strength with three consecutive wins, scoring 12 goals, in this "final" in Group G, the hosts are under huge pressure.

Currently, the UAE are only ranked 5th among the eight second-placed teams with nine points (six points deducted from two wins over bottom team Indonesia). Meanwhile, Iran (nine points) and Jordan (eight points) are also very close to the UAE. Only the top five teams in this group will win tickets to the final qualifying round, so if they can't win against Vietnam and take the top spot in Group G, the possibility of them being eliminated is very high.

The current scores of the Vietnamese team as compared to the eight second-place teams (excluding results against the bottom teams in each group).

On the contrary, the Vietnamese team have a very comfortable mentality when entering the final match, because even if they lose, Park's side still have the opportunity to win the right to continue in second place in the group. The Republic of Korea's 2-1 victory over Lebanon in the last match of Group H yesterday has increased the chances for Vietnam to qualify for the next round.

Just needing a draw, but with a comfortable mentality and luck against the West Asian teams, with their confidence after the 1-0 victory in the first leg, another victory for the Vietnamese team does not seem an impossible task.

With a mental advantage, talent and technique that are quite similar to the UAE, Que Ngoc Hai and his teammates can aim for a victory against the home team. (Photo: VFF)

The final Group G matchday of the Asian qualifiers will take place at 23:45 on June 15 (Vietnam time). At Zabeel Stadium, Vietnam will face the UAE, while Thailand will play Malaysia in a game that doesn't matter much at Al Maktoum Stadium.