Vietnamese players compete at the current National Futsal Championship. (Photo courtesy of VFF) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - National coach Pham Minh Giang said Vietnam are happywith the Futsal World Cup playoff draw in which Vietnam will play Lebanonsearching for a second visit to the global tournament.
The Asian Futsal Championship which is a qualifier of the World Cup wascancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, organisers decided Japan,Iran and Uzbekistan got automatic places in the final based on results inrecent tournaments. Four teams will compete for two remaining berths.
Iraq will face Thailand, while Vietnam will play Lebanon, with the respectivewinners of the two-legged games to advance to the September 12-October 3tournament in Lithuania.
The first legs will take place on May 20, with the return matches pencilled infor five days later. The venue would be a neutral stadium in Qatar or the UAE.
Iraq will appear in the FIFA Futsal World Cup for the first time if they aresuccessful in their clashes against 2012 hosts Thailand, while a maiden appearancealso awaits Lebanon should they overcome Vietnam.
"I am glad to know Lebanon will be our opponent in the playoffs. But I alsoknow that the team has made great progress recently. They even beat Thailand atthe Asian championship in 2018," said Giang.
"I think it is a chance is for both sides. If we could manage ouropportunities the door will be wide open for us," he said but added thathe is worried that his team have not played international games for more than ayear due to the pandemic.
Vietnam currently rank 44th in the world, four places below Lebanon. They havenot yet met each other in any competition.
Sharing the same opinion with his coach, skipper Tran Van Vu said: "It is50-50 for both teams. The winner will be who has more determination and makesfewer mistakes. We consider the World Cup qualifier is the most importantcompetition of the year, and we can't wait to play."
Vietnamese players are currently competing at the National Futsal Championship.They will meet after the first period of the event on May 3.
Giang and his team will have two weeks training in HCM City before departingfor Qatar/UAE.
He added: "I have found several new elements for my team. They are playingoutstandingly well at the national championship. I hope they could contributeto the nation in the playoffs."/.
VNA
