Viet Nam is first ASEAN team winning at World Cup third qualifier
VGP — Viet Nam made up a Southeast Asian record after beating China 3-1 in the 2023 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier's third qualification match on February 1 in Ha Noi.
Le Tan Tai celebrates after scoring the first goal of the fixture at Ha Noi's My Dinh National Stadium, January 1, 2022.
Le Tan Tai, Nguyen Tien Linh and Phan Van Duc netted for Viet Nam while Xin Xu narrowed the score in the additional time at the My Dinh Stadium on the first day of the Lunar New Year. The win helped Viet Nam grab their first points and end their win drought of seven defeats in a row in this tournament. Despite officially being disqualified Viet Nam made a new height in the region as it is the first ASEAN team ever to have a win in the World Cup third qualifier.
Earlier, Thailand have best result with two draws over Australia and the UAE at the 2018 World Cup third qualification.
"We are happy for the victory because we suffered high pressure after having no win for a long time," said captain Do Hung Dung after the match.
"We played our best in this match. It will be a special Tet gift for Vietnamese supporters as we promised.
"Coach Park is an empathetic manager. He reduced pressure on us. Despite training hard we still have Tet specialties such banh chung (square sticky rice cake) and gio and cha (Vietnamese pork sausages) to celebrate the new year.
Sharing the happiness striker Linh said: "It is a special day of Viet Nam when people reunion with family to enjoy Tet holiday. I worked hard to gain my physique and spirit back as soon as possible after being affected by the COVID-19 to have a wonderful match and our team brings happiness to Vietnamese people."
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the match and joined the players on the pitch to congratulate the team.
"Thank you, you and players have an excellent match. It is really a party for Vietnamese people in the first day of the Lunar New Year," said PM Chinh
"A big thank to coaching board, team crew and stadium staff, especially head coach Park and players in this match. You have good tactics and convert all of our opportunities into goals to win today," he said and gave lucky money to all team members.
The PM hoped that the win in the first lunar day will help Viet Nam to wins many coming matches.
Viet Nam will next host Oman on March 24 and visit Japan five days later. /.
Thanh Ha
Caption: Vietnamese midfielder Ho Tan Tai (left) celebrates after scoring during the FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier third round Group B match between Viet Nam and China at My Dinh National Stadium on February 1 in Ha Noi. Viet Nam win 3-1.
