Vietnam clinches 3-1 win over Nepal in Group F of 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers
VOV.VN - Vietnam secured a comfortable 3-1 victory over Nepal in their 2027 Asian Cup qualifying match on the evening of October 9 at Go Dau Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City.
The national team faced some challenges in the first half. Tien Linh opened the scoring in the 9th minute with a precise finish. However, in the 17th minute, Shrestha Sanish equalised for Nepal with a header.
Before the end of the first half, Vietnam gained a numerical advantage after Limbu of Nepal was shown a direct red card for obstructing Hai Long.
Taking advantage of their superiority in the second half, Vietnam dominated the game and added two more goals through Xuan Manh and Van Vi, sealing a 3-1 win.
With this victory, Vietnam remains second in Group F with six points, behind Malaysia who lead with nine points. However, Malaysia faces the risk of forfeiting their match against Vietnam on June 10 due to fielding seven naturalised players without proper eligibility.
In the return fixture on October 12, Nepal will again use Thong Nhat Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City as their home ground to face Vietnam.
In his speech at a post-match press conference, head coach Kim Sang Sik said, “Although we created many scoring opportunities and should have converted more chances, three goals is still a positive outcome. We need to be more clinical in finishing to score more. I think the Nepal team performed well, especially in terms of physical endurance, and they caused us considerable difficulties.
We played cautiously in the first half. In the second half, when the opponent’s stamina declined, we took advantage by deploying more attacking players to create breakthroughs. Tactically, the whole team carried out the plan well and achieved the desired result.
Malaysia also won today, so we are now in second place. The team will give its best in the remaining three matches. For now, our priority is to focus on winning, rather than thinking too much about rival teams.”
Vietnamese players valued higher than Nepal ahead of 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers
VOV.VN - Ahead of two key fixtures against Nepal in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers, the Vietnam national team are considered to have a clear edge, not only in experience but also in player market value, according to leading football site Transfermarkt.
