Vietnam – Iraq: Passing through the "narrow door"!

(Baonghean) - Tonight (March 29) in the capital Tehran (Iran) within the framework of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, the Vietnam National Team continues to hope for victory in the second place match in Group F with the Iraq National Team...

Thailand's draw with Iraq has opened up an opportunity for coach Huu Thang and his team to become one of the four second-placed teams with the best record if they win the upcoming match. In the first leg at My Dinh Stadium (October 2015), the Vietnam team entered the match with great determination, playing on par with the tall opponent from West Asia. However, luck did not come, Cong Vinh and his teammates had to leave My Dinh Stadium with a regretful point in the last seconds.

In this return match, although not having the advantage of direct support from a large number of fans, the spirit burning fiercely in the hearts of each "red shirt warrior" is the basis for fans to hope for a second victory for the Vietnam National Team under the reign of Huu Thang.

Coach Huu Thang has applied tiki-taka tactics to build a new playing style suitable for the physical strength and technique of Vietnamese players. The combination of experienced players such as Cong Vinh, Thanh Luong... with players in their prime such as Ngoc Hai, Nguyen Manh... and young talents such as Van Toan, Tuan Anh, Xuan Truong... has initially proven effective with smooth coordination.

Can Cong Vinh and his teammates overcome Iraq?

But the wing plays, the splits and the combination of attracting the opponent's defense against an amateurish Taiwan team are not worth mentioning. The upcoming match with Iraq is the real test for the tiki-taka style of play of the Vietnam team when "Iraq is a top opponent in the continent, having won many major titles. The team's draw in the first leg at My Dinh could be due to the weather or the fasting month" - Coach Huu Thang admitted.

The tight defense and quick counterattack tactics in the 4-1-4-1 formation will probably still be applied by Coach Huu Thang in the match against Iraq. That is the way to minimize the opponent's attacks when they have the advantage in physique, physical strength and are considered to be higher in class.

Currently, after 5 matches, Vietnam has 7 points while Iraq has 9 points. If they win, coach Huu Thang and his team will take second place in the group from their opponents. However, the chance of advancing is not high when our points and goal difference are not equal to the other second-placed teams.

In terms of personnel, the Vietnamese team only had minor changes compared to the list that met Taiwan earlier. Center back Dinh Tien Thanh was called back to strengthen the defense, while striker Van Thang was ruled out due to injury. With good height, Tien Thanh will be a suitable choice when the Vietnamese team faces the tall Iraqi player. With Van Thang removed, the Vietnamese team's strikers only have Cong Vinh, Van Toan, and Dinh Tung.

Meanwhile, the former Asian Cup champion (2007) is feeling a bit “uneasy” after being held to a draw by Thailand in the last match (March 24). Iraq head coach Yahya Alwan has announced his resignation after losing a direct ticket to the final qualifying round of the 2018 World Cup. This situation means that interim coach Abdul Ghani Shahad will have to fight with the Vietnam team to win second place in the group.

In the first leg at My Dinh Stadium, the Vietnamese team (red) almost shocked the former Asian champions.

Obviously, the Vietnamese team is being breathed new life by the Nghe An captain, creating a vitality and a stronger desire to win than ever. Although Iraq is always considered the "superior" in every competition with Vietnam, with a new style of play and new vitality, Coach Huu Thang and his team have the right to nurture hope and who knows, miracles will come when football always contains surprises!

Kim Thuy