Vietnam lost 0-4 to Australia at the World Cup Asian Qualifiers, Round 3 at AAMI Park in Melbourne on January 27.
| Vietnam's Pham Tuan Hai (11) in the match versus the Socceroos in Melbourne on Jan 27. Photos: VFF |
The Socceroos netted two goals at halftime and the others by another half with Maclaren, Rogic, Goodwin, and McGree on the scoresheet.
The Golden Star Warriors appeared with a lineup that lacks some prominent players due to different reasons, most of all injury amid great support of the home side on and off the pitch.
The result makes Vietnam’s dream of attending a World Cup increasingly distant.
In the post-match speech, Vietnam’s head coach Park Hang-seo said “The players tried their best. In the first half, we used a lot of new, inexperienced players. However, giving opportunities to new faces is necessary, in line with the development progress of the team. We have to prepare for the next generation.”
Vietnam entered the game confidently, not completely defending, and organized some sharp attacks. However, under the pressure of an opponent who has attended the World Cup finals five times, Bui Tan Truong’s net still bounced.
In the second half, coach Park sent Cong Phuong, Hong Duy, Hoang Duc, and Thanh Chung to the field, enabling Vietnam to play offensively, imposed the game and many times wobbled the Australian defense. However, the team still lacked mutation and luck to score. Tuan Hai’s shot missed the post, Cong Phuong shot from close range to hit goalkeeper Mathew Ryan, while Thanh Chung headed over the bar. “It’s a pity that we didn’t take advantage of the opportunities in the first half of the second half,” Park said.
“Some of the new players seem unfamiliar with the team’s tactics. Even so, I still see the positives,” the South Korean tactician noted.
This is the biggest defeat that coach Park has to receive since working for the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) at the end of 2017. Vietnam continues to be at the bottom of Group B when losing the seventh consecutive match in the third qualifying round.
In the next match on February 1, which is the first day of the Lunar New Year, Vietnam will take on China at My Dinh National Stadium, Hanoi.
| Vietnam's head coach Park Hang-seo at the post-match press conference. |
