What's noteworthy about the Russian national team's visit to Vietnam?
Due to the FIFA ban, the Russian national team hasn't had many notable activities in recent years. So, what are the noteworthy aspects of the Russian team's tour in Vietnam?
First of all, it must be stated that the Russian national team is still very strong compared to the Vietnamese and Thai national teams in the upcoming friendly matches at My Dinh Stadium. This is perfectly understandable, as Russian football remains one of the most developed football nations in the world.
Furthermore, the Russian national team boasts many stars such as goalkeeper Matvey Safonov, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain; striker Konstantin Tyukavin (Dynamo Moscow); midfielder Maksim Glushenkov (Zenit St. Petersburg); and Ivan Oblyakov (CSKA Moscow). This is not to mention two other stars, Aleksandr Golovin and Arsen Zakharyan (who are not participating in this training camp).
With these stars, the Russian national team easily defeated both Serbia and Belarus 4-0 in friendly matches this year. This is the clearest evidence of the class of coach Valery Karpin's squad.
Speaking of coach Valery Karpin, many Vietnamese fans will remember the winger with the flowing, romantic hair. As a player, Valery Karpin played for famous clubs such as Valencia, Real Sociedad, and Celta de Vigo. He also made 72 appearances for the Russian national team and scored 17 goals. Most memorably, he scored the goal that sealed the 2-0 victory against Tunisia at the 2002 World Cup.
Not only was Valery Karpin outstanding as a player, but he also excelled as a coach. Under the leadership of the 55-year-old coach, the Russian national team achieved 11 wins, 6 draws, and suffered only one defeat – a loss against Croatia in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Unfortunately, the bans imposed by the World Football Federation have prevented the Russian national team and coach Valery Karpin from showcasing their full potential.
However, with the Russian national team coming to Vietnam to participate in a friendly tournament next September, fans will have the opportunity to witness firsthand the skill level of coach Valery Karpin's team. This will also be an opportunity for the Vietnamese national team to gain experience and learn, in order to best prepare for the upcoming AFF Cup 2024.
