Vietnamese team happy with the victory (Photo: VNA) The hard-fought win helps the team consolidate their topspot in Group G with 17 points after seven matches, while maintaining theirimpressive unbeaten streak with five wins and two draws in the Asianqualifiers. Vietnam are still two points ahead of the second-placed United ArabEmirates (UAE), who won 5-0 over Indonesia in the other match the same day.
In their match report, world football governing body FIFAemphasised: “Vietnam remain unbeaten in the group thanks to Que Ngoc Hai's latepenalty that saw them edge Malaysia 2-1 in Dubai”.
In the last match, Vietnam will have a decisive game todecide the top spot in the group against the UAE, and FIFA said that this willbe one of the most exciting and eagerly awaited encounters on the final matchday of the 2nd qualifying round.
Meanwhile, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), in itspost-match commentary, affirmed the Vietnamese team continued to consolidatetheir pole position in Group G after the victory over Malaysia. “The two teamscame into this game on the back of entirely opposing fortunes: Malaysia hadlost their last match 4-0 against the United Arab Emirates, while Vietnam hadbeaten Indonesia 4-0 and cemented their strong position with a win, also havingavoided any losses since the Qualifiers began," the AFC said.
Witnessing their home team once again beaten by Vietnam, the Malaysian mediacould not help but be disappointed. In its article published early thismorning, the Malaysian national news agency (Bernama) admitted their World Cupdreams had been dashed: "One dream is over… Malaysia’s fourth defeat infive outings against Vietnam since Park Hang-seo took over as coach in 2017means the Harimau Malaya can forget about finishing in the top two positions inGroup G of the 2022 World Cup/2023 Asian Cup second-round qualifiers”. Malaysiastill have the goal of winning tickets to the 2023 Asian Cup finals, butaccording to Bernama, this journey will also be very difficult for them.
Sharing the same opinion, the New Straits Times acknowledgedthat Malaysia's World Cup campaign had ended early this morning after thecountry's football team suffered a 2-1 defeat to Vietnam. This is their fourthdefeat in the last five encounters between both.
“The sad story for Malaysia is that the Vietnamese, who mustbe the best in Southeast Asia, always do just enough to beat us”, the NewStraits Times wrote, adding that although Malaysia have several naturalisedplayers from Brazil, Kosovar or Gambia, it is still not enough for them to beatVietnam. “The Golden Dragons again did just enough. One goal extra for threepoints," the long-standing newspaper in Malaysia wrote.
In Thailand, the country's press also praised Park HangSeo's side. SiamSport wrote: “The Golden Stars continue their unbeaten recordas they won 2-1 against Malaysia. Currently, Vietnam have 17 points, firmly atthe top of the table with a ticket to play in the 3rd qualifying round almostcertainly in their hands.”
Indonesia's IndoSport also praised the Vietnamese team aftertheir dramatic victory over Malaysia: “The UAE won 5-0 against Indonesia,aiming to take the top spot from Vietnam. Unfortunately, that victory was stillnot enough to bring Bert van Marwijk's team to the top, because at the sametime, Vietnam excelled against Malaysia in a fierce and dramatic match.”
The Korean press also congratulated Park Hang Seo's side ontheir latest victory, expressing their belief that the Vietnamese team willmake history if they reach the final qualifying round for the first time ever.In the Korean version of Goal, Park Byeong-gyu wrote: "The Vietnamnational football team, led by coach Park Hang-seo, are about to advance to theWorld Cup Asian final qualifiers. It will be their first time in history ifVietnam, who lead Group G, can advance to the final qualifying round”.
On Yonhap, reporter Ahn Hong-seok also believed in theability of the Vietnamese team to continue: "If Vietnam win or draw intheir final match with the UAE on the June 15, they will advance to the final qualifiers,topping the group. Even if Vietnam lose to the UAE, there is a possibility theywill advance to the final qualifier as the group’s runners-up”.
In an article published on OSEN on early June 12, the authorsaid Park's talent was once again confirmed, helping Vietnamese footballprepare to turn a new page in its history.
To hold in their own hands the keys to an historic berth inthe final stages, Park's side need at least one point in the last match againsthosts UAE. However, according to Park, Vietnam will continue to confidently aimfor victory, although that goal will be more difficult against an in-form UAE.
The final match of the Vietnamese team in the 2022 World Cupqualifiers in Asia against the UAE will take place at 23:45 (Hanoi time) onJune 15 at the Zabeel Stadium in Dubai./.
VNA
