Head coach Diego Giustozzi said the matches provided valuable insight into the team’s current level, highlighting both strengths and areas requiring improvement, particularly in physical fitness, match experience and competitive mentality.

Technically, the players are good, but they still need to be more aggressive, gain experience and improve decision-making in different match situations, the Argentine coach said.

He described Afghanistan - recent participants at the Futsal World Cup - as an important benchmark for Vietnam’s ambitions. The friendlies, he said, helped clarify the standard required to compete at the highest level in Asia and to progress toward World Cup qualification.

When playing Southeast Asian teams such as Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia or Myanmar, the physical and technical levels are relatively similar, Giustozzi said, adding that playing against other Asian teams with different physical profiles and playing styles requires more effort.

The coach also voiced his satisfaction with the return of Tran Thai Huy and Chau Doan Phat after injury, noting that both players were able to gain valuable match time.

Vietnam are scheduled to depart for Indonesia on January 24, with Giustozzi set to finalise the 14-player squad before the tournament.

At the tournament, Vietnam have been drawn into Group B alongside defending Asian runners-up Thailand, as well as Kuwait and Lebanon - a group widely seen as one of the most competitive in the tournament.

FIFA Futsal men’s rankings: Vietnam break into world top 20

VOV.VN - Vietnam’s men’s futsal team have climbed to 20th place in the latest FIFA world rankings, marking the highest position in the team’s history, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) said.