With a clear advantage in FIFA ranking, player experience, and home-field support, head coach Kim Sang-sik and his team are expected to secure a convincing win to continue their campaign in Group F on the right foot.

Vietnam are currently placed 114th in the FIFA World Rankings, nearly 60 places above Nepal, who sit around 176th. The team feature many players with extensive international experience, combined with young, dynamic talents emerging from recent U23 successes.

In contrast, although Nepal have called up 12 overseas-based players for reinforcement, they are still considered the underdogs in every aspect, from physical fitness and tactical discipline to squad cohesion. Their recent form and head-to-head history further highlight the uphill battle they face, especially when playing away from home without fan support.

In the pre-match press conference held on October 8, head coach Kim Sang-sik emphasised focus and discipline in his team’s approach. He said he respects opponents, but the team’s goal is to take all three points.

The players are physically and mentally prepared for a strong start to the qualifiers, he said.

The Korean coach also expressed regret over the absence of key midfielder Quang Hai due to injury but remained confident in the squad’s overall depth and quality.

On the other side, Nepal’s head coach Matt Ross openly acknowledged the strength gap between the two teams. He revealed that his team’s goal is to try and get a point.

Even a draw would be a success for Nepal, he stated, adding that Nepal would prioritise defence and look to counter-attack whenever possible.

Football analysts both domestically and internationally favour Vietnam to win by a significant margin. According to Webthethao, Vietnam will dominate possession, and if they capitalise on their chances, a win by three or more goals is very possible. Nepal will defend deep but may struggle to hold off early pressure.

The Thao & Van Hoa emphasised that this is an ideal opportunity for Coach Kim to test new tactics and integrate younger players:

Against weaker opponents like Nepal, Vietnam must demonstrate their superiority — not just to earn points, but also to build momentum for upcoming fixtures, it commented.

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.