With only one win from their first four matches, Vietnam looked set to crash out of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, but under new head coach Kim Sang-sik, they defeated the Philippines 3-2 in a thriller to keep their hopes alive in Group F – with Nguyen Tien Linh providing the impetus with a double in the comeback victory, according to the AFC.

The website also wrote that Tien Linh, who scored eight goals in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and six times in Vietnam’s run into the 2022 AFF Championship final, opened his account with the Golden Star Warriors’ equaliser in the 65th minute before planting a towering header past Azkals goalkeeper Neil Etheridge 11 minutes later.

Vietnam trail second-placed Indonesia by one point as they head into their final match against group toppers Iraq, the AFC added.

The list of players who impressed on Matchday Five of the qualification campaign also includes Koki Ogawa of Japan, Husniddin Aliqulov of Uzbekistan, Son Heung-min of the Republic of Korea, Abdulrahman Al Mushaifri of Oman, Yazan Al Naimat of Jordan, Behram Abduweli of China, and Ali Jasim of Iraq.

Vietnam will play their away game against Iraq on June 12, hoping to secure a spot in the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Iraq now top Group F with 15 points, followed by Indonesia and Vietnam with seven and six points, respectively. With only one point, the Philippines are at the bottom of the group.

Twenty-seven football players called for FIFA Days

Coach of the national football team Kim Sang Sik has called 27 players for training ahead of FIFA Days in June and the last two matches within the second round of 2026 FIFA World Cup AFC qualification in Asia, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) said on May 27.

'No player can be above the team': new Vietnam football coach

During his introduction as Vietnam’s new national head football coach, Kim Sang-sik said he was confident that he and his new squad would achieve their goals through loyalty and dedication.

Vietnam gets another sponsor to find new national football coach

After signing a three-year contract with a Japanese partner, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) will have more financial resources to search for a new manager of the national team.

Brazilian football legend Rivaldo to land in Da Nang

Brazilian football legends Dunga, Rivaldo, Lucio, Edmilson, Kleber, Giovani, Zé Carlos, and Paulo Sergio will feature in the Brazil-Vietnam Football Festival 2024 in the central beach city of Da Nang in April.

Vietnam participates in first Asian e-football tournament

A team of three e-football players from Vietnam on January 30 headed to Qatar to attend the first Asian e-football tournament held by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) from February 1-5.

Source: VNA