Veteran players called up for Vietnam vs Indonesia World Cup qualifiers
VOV.VN - Head coach Philippe Troussier on March 11 decided to call up several veteran players for the Vietnam national squad in preparations for the upcoming two World Cup qualifiers against Indonesia on March 21 and March 26.
Among the veteran players, striker Cong Phuong who has bene playing in Japan will return for the coming clashes. Other experienced players - strikers Nguyen Tien Linh and Nham Manh Dung, and defenders Bui Tien Dung, Nguyen Thanh Chung and Nguyen Duc Chien – have been performed well in their FCs.
The veteran players are expected to fill vacancies in the national line up when other key players, including goalkeeper Dang Van Lam, defenders Que Ngoc Hai and Doan Van Hau, midfielder Nguyen Tuan Anh, and striker Pham Tuan Hai, are unlikely to play due to injuries they are suffering.
As scheduled, the team will start training in Hanoi on March 13 before flying to Indonesia week later.
Vietnam are now placed second in Group F with three points, just behind Iraq that also have three points but in a higher position on goal difference. They are then followed by Indonesia and the Philippines, both on one point each.
After clashes with Indonesia in March, Vietnam will then play an away game against the Philippines on November 16 before returning to Hanoi for a home game against Iraq on November 21.
According to the tournament rules, the top two teams from each group will make it to the third round and secure direct qualification for the 2027 Asian Cup. The remaining 18 teams will then proceed to the third and final round of qualifiers.
