3 highlights before the friendly match between Vietnam and Afghanistan

The team’s thirst lasted 5 years

The last time football fans in Ho Chi Minh City watched a match of the team at Thong Nhat Stadium was in June 2017. Under the guidance of coach Nguyen Huu Thang, Vietnam Tel drew Jordan 0-0 in the framework of Group C Asian Cup 2019 qualifiers. The hero of that match was goalkeeper Dang Van Lam with saves. excellently helping Vietnam Tel keep a clean sheet.

Nearly 5 years have passed, Vietnam Tel has just returned to Ho Chi Minh City. Even though it was only a friendly match, this event made fans in the city named Uncle Ho boil, leading to the scene of jostling to buy tickets to watch the match. Some people accept to wait for more than 3 hours to hold the ticket in hand, but they accept to see with their own eyes stars such as Quang Hai, Que Ngoc Hai, Hoang Duc and Hung Dung.

“It’s been a long time since the team played in Thong Nhat, receiving the support of the audience here. We want to win the best results for the fans.”Que Ngoc Hai said.

Accumulate points on FIFA rankings

The friendly match between Vietnam and Afghanistan took place on FIFA Days, which means that Park Hang Seo’s teachers and students have the opportunity to accumulate more points on the FIFA rankings. From there, Vietnam Tel will have the advantage when drawing to divide the table at the next international tournaments.

“This is a match within the framework of FIFA Days, a friendly match with points on the FIFA rankings. This match is so rewarding. All the players are fit, trying to practice well to have a good match coming up.”midfielder Duy Manh commented.

“We are very happy and honored to receive the support of the home audience. Hope the fans will see a good match. Whether the Vietnamese team plays in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, the audience still comes to the stadium. enthusiasm. This is the motivation for the whole team”striker Cong Phuong said.

Waiting for a new element

To prepare for the friendly match with Afghanistan, Coach Park Hang Seo called up many new names in defense and midfield. Midfielder Adriano Schmidt has been called up for the last 2 matches of the third qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup in Asia, but he has not been on the field for a minute. Therefore, the friendly match against Afghanistan will be an opportunity for Coach Park Hang Seo to test this German-Vietnamese player.

Nguyen Van Vi – defender on the staff of Hanoi Club also had the opportunity to play for Vietnam for the first time. Last time, Coach Park Hang Seo often only used Nguyen Phong Hong Duy in the left-back position. At the last 31 SEA Games, the Korean strategist used Le Van Do and sometimes Le Van Xuan island from the right to create mutations.

However, right now Le Van Do is being summoned for U23 Vietnam prepare for the finals U23 Asia 2022, and Le Van Xuan suffered a serious injury. Therefore, Van Vi will have the opportunity to impress Coach Park Hang Seo in the match against Afghanistan.

Tran Dinh Khuong and Truong Van Thai Quy were summoned for the first time under the Korean strategist. This is not the first time Dinh Khuong has been called up to the team, but the last time he was called up was 5 years ago – when Coach Park Hang Seo was not in charge. Meanwhile, Truong Van Thai Quy was called up to the team level for the first time since the 2018 AFC U23 Championship in Changzhou.

“This call-up is to test new elements and give the players a try. I believe rookies like me will have a chance to play.”Dinh Khuong shared.

What is the strength of the Afghanistan team?

Currently, Afghanistan is ranked 150th on the FIFA rankings, 54 places behind Vietnam (96th). The composition of this team includes players who are playing in many different countries, including the Netherlands, Sweden, England, Australia and even Cambodia.

In the 3rd qualifying round of the Asian Cup 2019 taking place in 2017, Vietnam Tel met Afghanistan 2 matches and both had draw results. Nguyen Van Toan opened the scoring in the first leg in the 64th minute, but 5 minutes later Hassan Amin scored an equalizer for Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the second leg at My Dinh ended with a score of 0-0.

“We met Afghanistan in 2017 in the 2019 Asian Cup qualifiers. Currently, they are preparing for the Asian 2023 qualifiers. We don’t have much information about this opponent. The whole team will try, work hard to win it. good results”midfielder Que Ngoc Hai confirmed.