Football fans can’t wait for Vietnam vs China World Cup qualifier
VOV.VN - The Vietnamese national team’s upcoming fixture against China at the Sharjah stadium in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the final round of Asian qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup is attracting huge attention from football fans.
According to the Korean head coach Park Hang-seo, he and his coaching assistants are thoroughly prepared for the game, with both sides on zero points after their two opening matches.
Vietnam lost 3-1 to Saudi Arabia in their away game and then suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Australia in Hanoi.
China currently finish bottom of Group B and trail behind Vietnam on goal difference. They lost both of their opening games and have so far failed to score a goal or register a single shot on target.
Due to their position, a victory over Vietnam is a must for China if they don't want to be left behind.
Coach Park said he doesn’t want to record a third consecutive loss before he renews his contract with the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF).
Furthermore, earning three points in the match will help one of the two sides have a better chance of making it out of the group.
Vietnam’s participation marks the first time that the country has ever competed in this round of World Cup qualifiers, while China's only World Cup appearance was back in 2002.
Traditionally Vietnam have had a very poor record against China, having lost the last six games against the Asian giant.
However, under coach Park’s direction the Vietnamese team have recorded a number of excellent achievements.
The Korean tactician took Vietnam to the final of the 2018 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U23 Championship, in what was his first tournament after taking over as head coach in 2017.
It was also the first time that Vietnam had made the final of any continental championship, with this occasion representing the start of coach Park’s legend.
Previously, Vietnam’s U22 side won a 2-0 win over China’s U22 side managed by coach Park’s former mentor Guus Hiddink in a friendly back in 2019.
The match between Vietnam and China is scheduled to take place at a neutral venue in the UAE on October 7.
