Malaysia wants to postpone match against Vietnam in World Cup qualifiers; Zidane has Covid-19
(Baonghean.vn) - The Malaysian Football Federation is negotiating with the teams in Group G of the 2020 World Cup qualifiers - Asia region, including Vietnam, to postpone the matches to June 2021; Difficulties continue to surround Real Madrid when head coach Zinedine Zidane has to be quarantined and may be absent...
Malaysia wants to postpone match against Vietnam in World Cup qualifiers
Malaysia want to play all three remaining matches in the second round of qualifiers in June 2021 at the same venue, but need the consent of the other four teams in the group. "We have started discussions with Indonesia, Thailand and the UAE," Football Association of Malaysia secretary-general Stuart Ramalingam told the New Straits Times on January 21. "The negotiations are still ongoing. A decision could be made next week."
 |
| Quang Hai scored the only goal to help Vietnam beat Malaysia in the first stage, October 10, 2019. Photo: Lam Thoa |
New Straits Times said that Thailand and UAE want to host the remaining matches of Group G. FIFA requires the second round of Asian qualifiers to end in June 2021.
After the match against Malaysia, Vietnam has two more matches to play in June 2021, against visiting team Indonesia and host team UAE. Coach Park Hang-seo and his team are currently at the top of Group G with 11 points after five matches, and are the only unbeaten team. Malaysia, Thailand and UAE are behind them, with UAE having played one match less. Indonesia has lost all five matches and has been eliminated. The team that wins Group G or is among the five best runners-up will advance to the third qualifying round and secure a spot at the 2023 Asian Cup. Vietnam has never reached the third qualifying round of the World Cup.
Zidane has Covid-19
"The club confirms that head coach Zinedine Zidane tested positive for Covid-19," Real Madrid's homepage announced at noon on January 22, Madrid time.
For now, the French coach will not be able to accompany the club to visit Alaves in round 20 of La Liga tomorrow, Saturday, January 23. Zidane's assistant, David Bettoni, will take charge of training sessions and attend press conferences. According to Marca, in addition to the match against Alaves, Zidane may sit out the club's three more matches, against Levante, Huesca, and Getafe.
 |
| Real Madrid are expected to face more difficulties when they lose Zidane's direct command in the next four matches. Photo: AS |
In the past week, Real have been eliminated from two domestic cups - losing to Bilbao in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup, then being knocked out of the Copa del Rey by third-division side Alcoyano. In La Liga, Real have been inconsistent, so although they are second in the table, they are seven points behind leaders Atletico, having played one game more.
Real Madrid's troubles continue this weekend, as they also lost midfielder Federico Valverde. He has a muscle injury and will miss at least one match. Midfielder Martin Odegaard is on his way to Arsenal after falling out of favour at Real. Defender Nacho Fernandez and striker Rodrygo also tested positive for Covid-19.Meanwhile, at Man City, Aguero is the latest case of nCoV infection in the Man City squad. This season, the Etihad team is facing a force crisis because many first-team players such as Riyad Mahrez, Aymeric Laporte, Gabriel Jesus, Kyle Walker, Ederson Moraes... tested positive for corona virus.
Lee Nguyen aims to win the V.League with Ho Chi Minh City Club
January 22,Lee NguyenThe quarantine period according to Covid-19 epidemic prevention regulations has ended. This overseas Vietnamese striker had his first training session with his teammates in Ho Chi Minh City in Phu Tho in the afternoon of the same day.
Talking about the past two weeks of quarantine, Lee Nguyen expressed: “Two weeks of quarantine is a long time. I felt bored because I had nothing to do. Therefore, I feel happy to have completed that quarantine period.”
Lee Nguyen said he had planned to maintain his fitness in advance, so after 2 weeks of quarantine, he still ensured he was in good shape. “I knew I had to go through 2 weeks of quarantine, so I practiced a lot beforehand. Even though I stayed at the hotel for the past 2 weeks, I still maintained good physical condition. The training time for the next match is very short, so I tried to regain my fitness. Now I am very excited and ready to practice with my teammates.”
 |
| Lee Nguyen had his first training session at Phu Tho Stadium on the afternoon of January 22. Photo: Thanh Do |
Talking about coach Mano Polking, Lee Nguyen hopes he will adapt well to the football philosophy of the new captain of Ho Chi Minh City. “Coach Mano’s coaching style is similar to my playing style. Therefore, I hope to integrate well with my teammates,” the new player of the Thong Nhat Stadium team expressed.
