On the afternoon of October 6, the Vietnam team continued its second training session in the October gathering at Binh Duong Stadium (Thu Dau Mot Ward, Ho Chi Minh City), in preparation for the two matches against Nepal in the final qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup.
This is considered an important period for the Vietnam national team when coach Kim Sang-sik wants to review the force and experiment with new factors in addition to familiar pillars. In this gathering, many young players participated in the national team for the first time, creating a team with a mix of experience and youth.
Striker Nguyen Tien Linh was assigned to answer interviews during the training session. He said that the whole team is in good spirits and determined to show a more positive image after the recent unstable period of competition.
Having 2 matches against Nepal at the moment is an important stepping stone for the Vietnam team. This squad has an alternation between young players and experienced faces, creating an interesting combination. This is also an opportunity for the coaching staff to evaluate the performance, spirit and adaptation of the new players, Tien Linh shared.
He added that the new recruits are showing a high spirit of learning and a desire to prove their abilities: Most of the young players are called up to the national team for the first time. They practice very hard, always want to show themselves and show that they are potential factors for Vietnamese football. The upcoming two matches will be a good opportunity for them to accumulate experience, get used to international competition pressure and improve in the future".
In response to information about Malaysia being banned from playing due to sanctions from FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Tien Linh affirmed that the whole team is not too concerned about the situation of the opponent.
"There has been information about Malaysia's sanctions in recent days, but that is the job of FIFA and the AFC. The whole team has prepared, first of all for the two matches against Nepal, and in the upcoming journey, whether Malaysia is banned or not will not worry the players too much.
For us, competing and rubbing shoulders in a tournament is an honor. Working together, helping each other develop, sharing to make mutual progress is the most important thing. Therefore, whether Malaysia can compete or not is not too important for the Vietnam team. The most important thing is that the Vietnamese team will constantly improve every day, showing a better appearance through each match and each training session", Tien Linh emphasized.
Tien Linh said that his and his teammates' goal is to win all 3 points in both matches against Nepal, thereby creating favorable momentum before traveling to Laos in November and playing Malaysia at home in March next year.
I believe the whole team will show great determination, showing clear progress through each match. The further goal is to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup finals, and to achieve that, we must start by doing well in each match ahead, Tien Linh affirmed.
It is expected that coach Kim Sang-sik and his team will continue to train on October 7, but the media will not be allowed to work. The first leg between Vietnam and Nepal will take place at 7:30 p.m. on October 9 at Binh Duong Stadium, before the two teams play again at Thong Nhat Stadium on October 14.
