World Cup 2018 Qualifiers Draw: Vietnam in the same group as Thailand & Indonesia

The draw results for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers in Asia put Vietnam in Group F, facing all "familiar opponents" in the Southeast Asian region.

Vietnam has many advantages in the World Cup qualifiers as it is in the second seed group - Photo: Minh Tuan

World Cup 2018 qualifying seeding groups (Asia region)

Based on the FIFA rankings in April 2015, the Vietnam national team has increased by 5 places (from 130 to 125). In Asia alone, we have also consolidated our position in the top 16 teams in the region. Because of this, Vietnam has been placed in the second seed group in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers in Asia.

Being seeded gives Coach Miura and his team two advantages. Firstly, the Vietnamese team will only have to play one match in June. This will allow us to focus more on the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore. Secondly, the Vietnamese team will avoid many strong opponents in Asia such as Saudi Arabia, Oman or Qatar (in Group 2).

Vietnam national team will have a chance to advance if they meet an equal opponent - Photo: Minh Tuan

Therefore, if Vietnam wants to have an advantage in winning a ticket to the next round, the national team also needs to meet an ideal condition. That is to be in a dream group, with opponents of equal strength or relatively weak.

Accordingly, the most ideal group for Vietnam would include China, Maldives, Bhutan and Guam.

However, the Vietnamese team may still face challenges if the lucky draw brings Miura and his team to face tough opponents such as Afghanistan, Thailand (group 3), North Korea, Myanmar or Singapore (group 4) and Malaysia, Hong Kong (group 5).

2018 World Cup Asian qualifiers (also 2019 Asian Cup qualifiers)

The 2018 World Cup qualifiers in Asia are divided into 4 rounds:

+ Round 1is a confrontation between 12 teams from position 35 to 46 in Asia in a knockout format, selecting 6 teams to enter round 2. Taking place from March 12-17, 2015.

+ Round 2:Conduct seeding and draw lots to divide 40 teams into 8 groups (5 teams/group). The draw will take place on April 14, 2015.

- The group winner will advance to round 3 and also win a ticket to the 2019 Asian Cup Finals.

- The 4 best second-placed teams will advance to round 3 and also win tickets to the 2019 Asian Cup Finals.

- The remaining 4 second-placed teams will not continue to the World Cup qualifiers. Instead, they will be present in the 3rd qualifying round of the 2019 Asian Cup.

- The 3rd and 4th teams in each group: enter the 3rd qualifying round of the 2019 Asian Cup

- 4 bottom teams with the best results: enter the 3rd qualifying round of Asian Cup 2019

+ Round 3:The 12 teams that advance to the World Cup qualifiers will be divided into 2 groups (6 teams/group).

- The top two teams in each group will qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

- The two third-placed teams advance to round 4.

+ Round 4

- The two third-placed teams will play a home and away match. The winning team will qualify for the play-off match to the 2018 World Cup.

According to Bongdaplus.vn