Vietnam end home match in 0-1 loss to Oman in World Cup Qualifiers

Vietnam lose 0-1 to Oman in the match at My Dinh Stadium, Hanoi on March 24 of the 2022 World Cup Asian Qualifying – AFC, Third Round.

Omani players celebrate the goal at My Dinh Stadium on Mar 24. Photos: Ngoc Tu/The Hanoi Times

From a corner kick, Oman’s Khalid Al-Hajri escaped from Tan Tai’s tutelage and headed high to the far corner to defeat goalkeeper Nguyen Manh at the 65th minute.

The away team’s victory was thanks to their superior height, escaping pressure skills combined with a powerful header technique, commented Vietnamese coach Tran Binh Su.

Unfortunately, Vietnam lost while they attacked continuously and created many turbulent phases towards the goal of Oman, he added.

“Exerting strong pressure right in the first minutes on the opponent’s field, Vietnam continuously created many fast and attractive phases since Cong Phuong and Van Toan appeared in the second half. Vietnam though obtained nine corner kicks failed to make a story,” he noted.

Vietnam's Nguyen Quang Hai plays well during the match. Photos: Ngoc Tu/The Hanoi Times

Meanwhile, Vietnamese football fans said Oman’s rock-solid defence won the game.

In his post-match speech, Vietnam’s coach Park Hang-seo said the Vietnamese players made efforts but did not get the results they deserved to.

Before the match, the Vietnamese squad suffered great loss caused by Covid-19 and injuries. The absence of key players, including some good defenders namely Do Duy Manh, Tran Dinh Trong, Nguyen Phong Hong Duy.

And others have good performance like defender Que Ngoc Hai (former captain)... Photos: Ngoc Tu/The Hanoi Times

Oman national team’s coach Branko Ivanković said his players performed well in the first half. In the second half, their performance was a bit worse, probably because Vietnam played much better than the first half.

“Vietnam is more difficult to encounter, richer in energy and stronger than the first leg, the Croatian coach said. In the first leg, Vietnam were defeated 1-3 by Oman.

This is Vietnam’s ninth match in the World Cup Qualifiers – Final Round. The team so far lost eight and won one which was the game against China at My Dinh Stadium on February 1 or the first day of the Lunar New Year, the meaning occasion for both Vietnamese and Chinese.

On March 29, Japan will welcome Vietnam in the home match, the last one of the final round.

“Vietnam is the youngest team in the group, with many young and capable players. I think this team has a bright future and will go far,” commented Branko Ivanković.

So far, Japan and Saudi Arabia are Asian candidates for the 2022 World Cup Qatar.   

But efforts cannot turn into goals. Here's Vietnam captain Do Hung Dung and his squad after the match. Photos: Ngoc Tu/The Hanoi Times

Vietnam's President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (5th from right) and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (4th from right) support the team at My Dinh Stadium. Photo: VFF