Vietnam gear up for World Cup qualifier against Australia

In a training session on Monday, Bui Tien Dung had to wear a mask after having contact with a Covid-19 patient. Although his test result came out negative, the new vice-captain of the national team still had to follow Covid-19 safety instructions.

The training session also welcomed back key midfielder Nguyen Hoang Duc (number 28). He got Covid-19 earlier this month but has recovered and completed quarantine.

Do Hung Dung (number 8) has returned to the national team after a long period of injury treatment. He is now fully fit and coach Park Hang-seo has recently named him the new national team captain.

Two strikers Nguyen Van Toan and Nguyen Tien Linh are still in quarantine after getting Covid-19. Therefore, coach Park called up Tran Phi Son (number 38).

20-year-old Ngan Van Dai was also added to the team. The Quang Nam FC striker was called up once for Asian Cup 2019.

After AFF Cup failure last year, Park decided to make some changes to the squad. He called up many new faces, including Becamex Binh Duong star midfielder To Van Vu (number 33).

Coach Park spent a lot of time talking to newbies before the training session to help them understand his tactics better.

He paused training multiple times to instruct players to follow his requests.

Defender Nguyen Huu Tuan (R), who performed really well for Hoang Anh Gia Lai in V. League 2021, is expected to replace Tran Dinh Trong, who has yet to regain his form following injury.

Striker Pham Tuan Hai (number 30) is expected to fill in the spot of Tien Linh, who got Covid-19 and Ha Duc Chinh, who remains injured.

Park will reduce the number of players from 29 to 23 before going to Australia on Jan. 20. The team will have a week to train and acclimatize before playing the host on Jan. 27. After that, they will return to Vietnam to play China on Feb. 1.