Vietnam futsal team have quality warm-up prior to Futsal Asian Cup 2024

Vietnam futsal team have a quality warm-up competition playing against the world’s top 10 futsal teams in the ongoing international futsal friendly tournament taking place in Ho Chi Minh City. This is a good occasion for Vietnam futsal team to warm up and prepare for the final of Futsal Asian Cup 2024.

Vietnam playing New Zealand (Source: VFF)

Taking place from March 28 to 31, the 2024 international futsal friendly tournament is jointly organized by Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and Ho Chi Minh City Football Federation. Aiming to play well in the final of Futsal Asian Cup 2024 in Thailand and secure a spot in the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024 for a third time in a row, the ongoing friendly tournament is considered as a warm-up competition for Vietnam futsal team. The guest teams participating in the friendly tournament are very strong such as Iran (No. 7th world ranking), Morocco (No. 8th world ranking) and New Zealand (No. 52nd world ranking). Vietnam together with the 3 aforementioned teams play in a single round robin format to decide their ranks. The highest ranked team win the championship with a reward of USD5,000; the second-placed team get USD 3,000; and the third-placed team get USD1,000.

As said by Giustozzi Diego Raul, head coach of Vietnam futsal team, playing against strong teams will help Vietnamese players in mental preparation and hone their skills. All of the 19 players called for the national futsal team in this friendly tournament have good form, except player Minh Tri, who has suffered injury and has followed a special practice. Goalkeeper Huu Phuc of Sanvinest Khanh Hoa is one of the two goalies selected by Argentine coach Giustozzi Diego Raul to play for the national team this time. Huu Phuc was in the starting line-up against New Zealand on March 28.

In the first day of the tournament, Iran and Maroc displayed an exciting match. Although having been highly rated compared to Maroc and leading 2 goals, Iran were fought back and finally lost to Maroc 5-4. The match of Vietnam and New Zealand ended in a 2-2 draw. 

Reportedly, after the friendly tournament, Vietnam futsal team will focus on preparation and travel to Thailand to take part in the final round of Futsal Asian Cup 2024 (scheduled to take place from April 17 to 28). Vietnam are in group A with Thailand, Myanmar and China. Vietnam aim to qualify for the semi-final round and progress to the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024 in Uzbekistan.

An Nhien
Translated by H.N