Though they lost two points since December 2018, they benefited from the lackluster performances by Palestine and India at the 2019 Asian Cup.

In the recent Asian Cup Vietnam lost to Iraq and Iran and won against Yemen in their group and against Jordan in the last 16 before losing to Japan in the quarterfinals.

Vietnamese players rejoice after group stage victort against Yemen at the 2019 Asian Cup.

In Asia, they rank 16th, just enough to get into the second seeding pot for the second elimination round for the 2022 World Cup, which will have 40 teams.

The grouping draw is expected to be held in summer this year, while the second elimination round will begin in September.

The last time Vietnam broke into the top 100 FIFA rankings was in June 2011, where the team was placed 99th. They climbed back in last November.

When head coach Park Hang-seo took over Vietnam national football team, he set the goal of taking Vietnam from the 130th position into the top 100, and he has managed that significant leap in 13 months.

The highest position that Vietnam has ever achieved in FIFA rankings is 84th, 20 years ago, in September 1998.

The top three FIFA world rankings saw no changes with Belgium on top, followed by France and Brazil. The top five in Asia yet has been shuffled. Iran remains on top, yet Japan, the runners-up at Asian Cup 2019, have climbed to second place, followed by South Korea and Australia. Qatar now joins the batch, surpassing UAE and Saudi Arabia, after having a great performance that brought them the Asian Cup championship.

Vietnamese player ranks among Asia’s top 15 footballers

 Vietnamese national football team’s player Nguyen Quang Hai has been named one of the top 15 best footballers in Asia in 2018 following a vote by Fox Sports Asia and Titan Sports.

 

First football tourney for disadvantaged children slated for 2019

The first football tournament for disadvantaged children nationwide is set to take place in 2019, heard a press briefing in Hanoi on December 26.

 

Vietnamese outstanding footballers in 2018 honoured

Nguyen Quang Hai and Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung won the Vietnam Golden Ball award during a ceremony honoring Vietnam’s Best Players in 2018 was held in Ho Chi Minh City on December 22.

 

Prime Minister: Football inspires patriotism, national pride

Football has inspired patriotism and national pride, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said on December 21 when hosting the national football team and head coach Park Hang-seo who have just won the trophy of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup 2018.

 

Park receives special award at home after success with Vietnamese football

Ahead of the 2018 AFF Cup final return leg this weekend, Vietnam coach Park Hang-seo received good news as he was named among the 12 winners of the “Persons of the Year 2018 Awards” by the Journalists Association of Korea (JAK), at a ceremony held at the Convention Hall of the Kookmin Ilbo building in Yeouido, Seoul, on December 12.

 

Source: VnExpress