The Vietnamese team lost 1-3 to Saudi Arabia and 0-1 to Australia in the first two matches of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in Asia. According to Sports Seoul, despite losing the match, the Vietnamese team showed "confidence and courage".
In the match against Saudi Arabia, the Vietnamese team took the lead in the 3rd minute, but the match turned in a different direction when Do Duy Manh received a red card at the beginning of the second half. In the match against Australia at My Dinh Stadium, Quang Hai and his teammates played very disciplined, tight and even had more shots than their opponents. However, after a moment of losing focus, Australia scored the only goal at the end of the first half.
Compared to the 2 opponents they met in September, the Chinese team is not highly appreciated. Coach Li Tie's team lost to Australia 0-3 and Japan 0-1, currently at the bottom of Group B. The strength of the Chinese team is not superior to the Vietnamese team, although on the world rankings, they are 20 places above Mr. Park Hang-seo and his team.
According to Sports Seoul, the match against China at 0:00 on October 8 is an opportunity for coach Park Hang-seo to bring victory to the Vietnam team. In the previous 6 meetings, the Chinese team won all, scoring 20 goals and conceding only 3 goals.
In addition, according to the Korean newspaper, the victory over the Chinese team will help Mr. Park Hang-seo feel more comfortable in extending his contract with the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF). "The Vietnamese team does not focus on reaching the final round, because it is the first time they have participated in the final qualifying round of the World Cup. However, from Mr. Park's perspective, he must elevate the team through this tournament.
His contract will expire in January 2022, and an extension plan will be discussed. Obviously, reaching the final qualifying round is an incredible achievement, but if you can help the team take a new step, you can negotiate a contract extension in a more proactive position. That is the necessary foundation for a victory against the Chinese team," Sports Seoul commented.
Mr. Park's contract with VFF will expire at the end of January 2022. The agreement between the two sides has a clause allowing the contract to be extended for another year, if Mr. Park and VFF do not make any changes.
It is expected that in October, Mr. Park - Lee Dong-jun's representative will work with VFF on this matter. If Vietnam can beat China and Oman, the Korean strategist will clearly be more comfortable in extending his contract with VFF.
