Rival Watch: India to face 'favourites' Vietnam in Hung Thinh friendly tournament

The Golden Star Warriors are ranked 97th in the FIFA World rankings.

After a disappointing draw in the first friendly, India will look to end their tour of Vietnam with a good show against the hosts in the final game of the Hung Thinh friendly tournament. Vietnam are the highest ranked side in the tri-nation series. The Golden Star Warriors beat Singapore 4-0 in the first match of the friendly tournament.

They are playing in their home, which is an added benefit for the team. Hence, they would be keen to end the tournament on a positive note, especially in front of strong home support. Igor Stimac's men, on the other hand, will want to bounce back with a good show after a disappointing draw against Singapore in their first match. Here is more on the Vietnam football team.

Recent Performance

Vietnam beat Singapore in the first friendly by a 4-0 margin. Prior to that, they were last in action in June when they played Afghanistan in another international friendly. The Golden Star Warriors won that game by a 2-0 margin. Having last faced a defeat in March's FIFA World Cup third-round qualifiers against Oman, Vietnam are currently on a three-match unbeaten run.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers was the last official competition that Vietnam took part in. They finished last in the third-round qualifiers with just one win in 10 matches ending their hopes of making the World Cup in Qatar. However, the 97th-ranked nation bowed out on a high after holding Japan to a 1-1 draw in their final game.

About the Team

The present Vietnam side began its footballing journey after the reunification of the country in 1976. It first participated in the 1991 Southeast Asian Games held in the Philippines. Since then, it has participated in all subsequent editions. The team started featuring regularly in the FIFA World Cup qualification since 1994 and the AFC Asian Cup since 1996.

Vietnam took part in the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Championship in 1996 where they finished third. They hosted the competition's subsequent edition and finished runners-up. They have since gone on to win the tournament twice in 2008 and 2018.

In recent years under the stewardship of Park Hang-Seo, Vietnam have gradually risen as a football institution. Under his spell, the team's performance in the 2018 AFF Championship, 2019 AFC Asian Cup, and 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification has=ve made headlines across the globe.

The Head Coach

Park Hang-Seo is a former South Korean footballer and the current manager of the Vietnam senior national side. He began his coaching career at Lucky-Goldstar Hwangso, a South Korean football club, in 1989. He was also one of South Korea head coach Guus Hiddink's two assistant managers in the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Park was appointed the head coach of Vietnam's senior team and U-23 side in 2017. Under his tutelage, the junior team reached the final of the 2018 AFC U-23 Championship. At the 2018 Asian Games, the senior team reached the semifinals after 56 years. In 2018, Park led Vietnam to a victorious AFF Championship campaign. It was their first regional championship in 10 years.

Under the 64-year-old, Vietnam also made the quarter-finals of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup and produced their best performance in a FIFA World Cup qualification making it to the third round for the first time.

Player to watch

Nguyễn Tuấn Anh

Nguyễn Tuấn Anh is seen as one of the most talented and technically-gifted footballers of Vietnam. He plays as a central midfielder for the club Hoàng Anh Gia Lai.  He began his career in HAGL - Arsenal JMG Academy and got promoted to the first team of Hoàng Anh Gia Lai's in 2015.

Tuấn Anh has played in the U-19 and U-23 sides of Vietnam and was voted the 'Young Player of the Year' in 2014. However, he is yet to show the same promise with the senior team. Hence, he would like to make a statement in the match against India and aid his team win the competition.

What to Expect

Vietnam are the favourites in the friendly tournament, and they would like to live up to that. Backed by the vocal home support, they are highly likely to play good football against a new-look India. Under a tactically strong coach, they have good players in all the departments. Hence, they should be going all-out to win the final game of the tournament. Vietnam only need a draw against India to secure the Hung Thinh friendly tournament trophy.

India would be weary of the threat that Vietnam possesses and should plan its strategies accordingly. Vietnam would need only a draw to win the tournament. Thus, it is India's prerogative to take the attack to Vietnam. Given all the circumstances, football fans will be hopeful of a fascinating contest between the two Asian teams.