The Vietnamese head coach is confident he can lead his team to a miracle at the AFC 2018 World Cup qualifying encounter tonight (March 29), after hope of continuing the campaign was revived last week. The Vietnamese head coach is confident he can lead his team to a miracle at the AFC 2018 World Cup qualifying encounter tonight (March 29), after hope of continuing the campaign was revived last week. Vietnam may not go any further in the World Cup qualifying campaign, but it does not mean that it will perform poorly against Iraq, Nguyen Huu Thang told reporters in Iran on Monday. The Vietnam-Iraq clash, the last Group F game of the second round of qualifying at the Asian section of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, will be played at a neutral venue because of continuing security concerns in Baghdad. A minute of silence will be observed before the match starts at 9:00 pm tonight (Vietnam time), after a bombing at a stadium near Baghdad killed more than 40 people last week. Coach … [Read more...] about Vietnam upbeat ahead of Iraq clash in World Cup qualifying campaign
Asian 2018 world cup qualifiers
Vietnam suffer comprehensive defeat against Thailand in 2018 World Cup qualifiers
The Japanese coach of Vietnam, Toshiya Miura, has said he is looking forward to taking revenge on Thailand in their second leg in Hanoi on October 13 after losing 0-1 in their opener in the 2018 World Cup Asian qualifiers in Bangkok on Sunday. The Japanese coach of Vietnam, Toshiya Miura, has said he is looking forward to taking revenge on Thailand in their second leg in Hanoi on October 13 after losing 0-1 in their opener in the 2018 World Cup Asian qualifiers in Bangkok on Sunday. Experts said that it was a complete loss of Vietnam to their archrivals Thailand in terms of both tactics, the way of playing, and individual skills. Facing the disadvantage of an away game, the Vietnamese players resorted to tough play and it resulted in a red card – the second yellow card after the first one in the 49th minute to be exact – for defender Nguyen Minh Chau in the 72nd minute. In the 80th minute, the Thais opened the scoring after Pokklaw A-Nan entered the Vietnamese box and … [Read more...] about Vietnam suffer comprehensive defeat against Thailand in 2018 World Cup qualifiers
Vietnam beat Taiwan to revive hope in World Cup qualifying campaign
Vietnam staged a huge comeback victory, defeating Taiwan 4-1 at an AFC 2018 World Cup qualifying tournament encounter in Hanoi on Thursday, keeping hope alive that the Vietnamese might advance to the next stage in the event. Vietnam's coach Nguyen Huu Thang, in his debut match with the national team, and his men were unfazed when Wu Chun Ching scored the opening goal just seven minutes into the game. Veteran striker Cong Vinh netted an equalizing shot in the eighth minute and followed-up with a second goal in stoppage-time. Nguyen Van Toan, an Arsenal academy-trained striker, scored in both the 29th and 42nd minute to earn the Golden Stars a glorious victory. Coach Thang said the 4-1 win matters less than how the team were shaped after the first game under his regime. “We still have defense weaknesses which led to the opening goal by Taiwan,” he said. “My goal is to build a powerful team, … [Read more...] about Vietnam beat Taiwan to revive hope in World Cup qualifying campaign
A breakdown of the 2018 World Cup qualifying groups in Asia
The combined second round qualifying draw for 2018 World Cup and 2019 Asian Cup took place in Malaysia on Tuesday. Here is a breakdown of Groups A-D; E-H. Group A The improving United Arab Emirates and traditional Asian powerhouse Saudi Arabia are sure to fight it out for top spot. The Saudis, who have qualified for four World Cups, have had the better of clashes between the two but have struggled of late with the constant chopping and changing of coaches. The Emiratis have improved sharply with a core group of young players, led by head coach Mahdi Ali, and finished third at the Asian Cup in January after knocking out the holders Japan. Malaysia and Palestine should pose problems for the big two at home but will likely be battling for third place in the group. East Timor beat Mongolia in the first round and are competing at this stage Group B Asian champions Australia face some lengthy journeys across Asia and will not enjoy returning to Jordan, where they were beaten 2-1 in the … [Read more...] about A breakdown of the 2018 World Cup qualifying groups in Asia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Vietnam beats Taiwan 2-1 in Taipei
Vietnam defeated Taiwan 2-1 in a 2018 World Cup qualifying match on Tuesday that lasted for up to 100 minutes. More than 8,000 Vietnam’s fans have flooded the Taipei Municipal Stadium to support the home team, which was expected to have an easy win over a weaker opponent. However, Taiwan has made a surprise with sharp attacks, unlike when both teams met at the 1996 Asian Cup qualifier when Vietnam won 4-1. Thousands of Vietnamese fans on the stadium to support their team. In the second half, Vietnam’s goalkeeper shined to save several shots by Taiwan strikers. Vietnam took the lead in the 54th minute with a volley by Tien Thanh, who got the ball from Cong Vinh’s header. Led by a goal, Taiwan pressured on Vietnam’s goalkeeper Nguyen Manh, who shined to save several dangerous shots. In the 83rd minute, Wu Chun-ching leveled the score with a header. In extra time, Phi Son got a pass from Cong Vinh and but almost missed with his shot past Taiwan’s … [Read more...] about 2018 World Cup qualifying: Vietnam beats Taiwan 2-1 in Taipei