PM shows support for players before World Cup qualifier in Thailand hinh anh 1The Vietnamese national football team on September 2 prepares for the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match in Thailand . (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has called the national football team to show them his support ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match in Thailand on September 5.

Phuc said he hoped the athletes would focus on the game and play with determination against the hosts so they could perform well in their first match of the tournament’s second qualifying round for Asia.

South Korean coach Park Hang-seo and the players promised to work hard in training in Thailand to prepare for the match.

The match will kick off at 7:00 pm at the Thammasat University Stadium in Pathum Thani Province, 40 km from Bangkok.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup’s second qualifying round for Asia features 40 teams, divided into eight groups of five teams, playing in the home-away format.

Vietnam have been drawn in Group G with regional rivals Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, as well as group favourites the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The eight group winners and four best runners-up will qualify for the AFC Asian Cup 2023 to be held in China as well as the third and final round of World Cup qualifiers. –VNA 
VNA