​2022 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers: Vietnam ready to face Japan

At a training session of Vietnamese team (Photo: VNA)

On home ground with domestic fans, the Vietnamese team are in good standing to play Japan and Saudi Arabia.

At the training session on November 8, the Vietnamese team welcomed the presence of young goalkeeper Quan Van Chuan from the Vietnam U23 team. Chuan was promoted to participate in training with his senior teammates because he will continue to be an option in the plan to prepare for the upcoming AFF Suzuki Cup 2020.

Following the end of the 2022 AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers, nine players from the U23 team are participating in training with their seniors, including goalkeeper Nguyen Van Toan, defenders Bui Hoang Viet Anh, Nguyen Thanh Binh and Nham Manh Dung, midfielders Le Van Xuan, Ly Cong Hoang Anh and Le Van Do, and strikers Tran Van Dat and recently Ho Thanh Minh.

The addition of Van Chuan will help the Vietnamese team strengthen their squad as top choice keeper Van Lam is still recovering from an injury, while Van Toan also needs a solution to treat his shoulder inflammation definitively.

The final training session before a match with Japan (Photo: VNA)
Key defender Tran Dinh Trong said he has completely recovered from the injury and is ready to play in the match against visitors Japan.

He added that though Japan is a strong rival, Vietnam has been ready spiritually and tactically for the match.

Midfielder Quang Hai told FIFA that fan support at home will be a great motivation for the Vietnamese team. They will strive to achieve their first points and live up to fans’ expectation./.

VNA