FIFA talks about Vietnam futsal team: 'A magical journey'

The website of the World Football Federation has just published an article about coach Bruno Garcia and his team, from the qualifying round to the matches in Colombia.

Article on FIFA's official website. Screenshot.

The Vietnamese team has just stopped at the round of 16, after a 0-7 defeat to a very strong opponent - Russia. Although they had to leave the World Cup, what the Vietnamese players have achieved from the qualifying round to passing the group stage has left an unforgettable impression.

"A group of friends who come together to create magical moments" is FIFA's description of the Vietnamese futsal team. Those "magical moments" were when they defeated Japan on penalties to qualify for the World Cup, and the 4-2 win over Guatemala in the opening round of the group stage.

"I was eagerly waiting for the moment to play at the World Cup. I didn't even dare to think about winning. Those were unforgettable moments," midfielder Thai Huy said.

Not rated highly before the tournament took place, but the Vietnamese team surprisingly passed the group stage as the third-placed team with the best record. The victory over Guatemala helped Vietnam to continue, despite subsequent defeats against Italy and Paraguay. Although stopped after the most recent defeat at the hands of Russia, what the Vietnamese team gained at the World Cup was a useful opening.

Russia (in betel nut shirt) is too strong compared to Vietnam. Photo: FIFA.

"Everything is very fast at the World Cup. The intensity of movement is non-stop. You don't have time to rest and it is a real physical challenge. If the team wants to progress, physical strength is the first task. We are really impressed by the strength of our opponents," said Thai Huy.

Although they have no goals in the tournament in Colombia, except to enjoy their rare time at the World Cup, the pressure when entering the match is inevitable. The opening whistle means that the Vietnamese players must play their best for the country, not just to enjoy the experience for themselves.

"We try to enjoy every moment on the field, but we can only do that before and after the match. When the match is on, the whole team has to give everything we have," Thai Huy shared.

After their triumph in Colombia, the futsal team will be greeted with great enthusiasm upon their return. Crowds at the airport and congratulations will be all over the newspapers and social media. The journey of the Vietnamese team at the World Cup has ended, but the inspiration and influence will continue for much longer.

According to VNE