Asia 2018 world cup qualifying

The three points mean Vietnam need only a draw with the UAE on June 15 to advance.

With star midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai suspended, Vietnam’s performance at the Al Maktoum Stadium in the UAE was far less accomplished than in the 4-0 win over Indonesia, but coach Park proved once again he can set his team up to grind out a result.

Malaysia started the match faster and enjoyed the majority of possession but were unable to create any clear chances early on.

In contrast, Vietnam were more effective on their surges into the Malaysian half and enjoyed a lot of joy down the left-hand side, with Doan Van Hau finding himself in acres of space on several occasions.

Vietnam took an early lead when Nguyen Tien Linh, who opened the scoring in the 4-0 win over Indonesia on June 7 night, scored from a header in the 26th minute.

Luong Xuan Truong’s corner was headed up in the air by Malaysia’s captain Aidil Zafuan, allowing Hau to head it back across goal for Linh, who nodded home a quintessential poacher’s finish.

The goal seemed to give Malaysia a spark of life and they would have equalised in the 38th minute if it hadn’t been for a superb save from goalkeeper Bui Tan Truong.

The Vietnamese defence was split by a deep cross from Malaysia’s Matthew Davies which left Syafiq Ahmad with the goal at his mercy, but Truong reacted superbly to tip his header over from point-blank range.

Truong sprung into action again minutes later to deny Safawi Rasid’s direct free-kick and bring Vietnam into the break with their lead intact.

Malaysia only increased their dominance of the ball in the second half, however Vietnam should have doubled their lead against the run of play in the 64th minute, but Nguyen Trong Hoang put his shot wide after being played in by Nguyen Hoang Duc at the end of a mazy run.

Just five minutes later though, Vietnam were made to pay for spurning that opportunity.

Hau clattered into Guilherme de Paula in the box when the two competed for a header and left referee Ryuji Sato no choice but to point to the spot.

The naturalised striker dusted himself off and converted the penalty to equalise.

In a bid to regain control of a game that was slipping away from his side, coach Park shed his normally defensive instincts by bringing on forwards Ha Duc Chinh and Nguyen Van Toan in what turned out to be a masterstroke.

In the 80th minute, Vu Van Thanh slid a pass towards Toan in the penalty area. Before the forward could collect the ball he tumbled to the floor after his heel was seemingly clipped by Malaysia’s Brendan Gan and was awarded a penalty.

Television replays were inconclusive but did suggest some degree of simulation by Toan, though in the absence of VAR, the penalty stood.

Captain Que Ngoc Hai, seemingly the coolest man in the stadium, stepped up and thumped the ball home to make the score 2-1.

Vietnam were able to hold on for the final minutes without allowing Malaysia to create a decent chance to ensure they came away with a famous win in front of the lucky few Vietnamese supporters in the stands.

The win keeps Vietnam on top of Group G with 17 points, two ahead of the UAE.

The two sides will meet for their final match of the second round of qualification on June 15 night with Vietnam knowing a draw would put them through to the next round.

Source: VNA

The hard-fought win helps the team consolidate their top spot in Group G with 17 points after seven matches, while maintaining their impressive unbeaten streak with five wins and two draws in the Asian qualifiers. Vietnam are still two points ahead of the second-placed United Arab Emirates (UAE), who won 5-0 over Indonesia in the other match the same day.

In their match report, world football governing body FIFA emphasised: “Vietnam remain unbeaten in the group thanks to Que Ngoc Hai’s late penalty that saw them edge Malaysia 2-1 in Dubai.”

In the last match, Vietnam will have a decisive game to decide the top spot in the group against the UAE, and FIFA said that this will be one of the most exciting and eagerly awaited encounters on the final match day of the 2nd qualifying round.

Meanwhile, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), in its post-match commentary, affirmed the Vietnamese team continued to consolidate their pole position in Group G after the victory over Malaysia. “The two teams came into this game on the back of entirely opposing fortunes: Malaysia had lost their last match 4-0 against the United Arab Emirates, while Vietnam had beaten Indonesia 4-0 and cemented their strong position with a win, also having avoided any losses since the Qualifiers began,” the AFC said.

Witnessing their home team once again beaten by Vietnam, the Malaysian media could not help but be disappointed. In its article published early this morning, the Malaysian national news agency (Bernama) admitted their World Cup dreams had been dashed: “One dream is over… Malaysia’s fourth defeat in five outings against Vietnam since Park Hang-seo took over as coach in 2017 means the Harimau Malaya can forget about finishing in the top two positions in Group G of the 2022 World Cup/2023 Asian Cup second-round qualifiers.” Malaysia still have the goal of winning tickets to the 2023 Asian Cup finals, but according to Bernama, this journey will also be very difficult for them.

Sharing the same opinion, the New Straits Times acknowledged that Malaysia’s World Cup campaign had ended early this morning after the country’s football team suffered a 2-1 defeat to Vietnam. This is their fourth defeat in the last five encounters between both.

“The sad story for Malaysia is that the Vietnamese, who must be the best in Southeast Asia, always do just enough to beat us,” the New Straits Times wrote, adding that although Malaysia have several naturalised players from Brazil, Kosovar or Gambia, it is still not enough for them to beat Vietnam. “The Golden Dragons again did just enough. One goal extra for three points,” the long-standing newspaper in Malaysia wrote.

In Thailand, the country’s press also praised Park Hang Seo’s side. SiamSport wrote: “The Golden Stars continue their unbeaten record as they won 2-1 against Malaysia. Currently, Vietnam have 17 points, firmly at the top of the table with a ticket to play in the 3rd qualifying round almost certainly in their hands.”

Indonesia’s IndoSport also praised the Vietnamese team after their dramatic victory over Malaysia: “The UAE won 5-0 against Indonesia, aiming to take the top spot from Vietnam. Unfortunately, that victory was still not enough to bring Bert van Marwijk’s team to the top, because at the same time, Vietnam excelled against Malaysia in a fierce and dramatic match.”

The Korean press also congratulated Park Hang Seo’s side on their latest victory, expressing their belief that the Vietnamese team will make history if they reach the final qualifying round for the first time ever. In the Korean version of Goal, Park Byeong-gyu wrote: “The Vietnam national football team, led by coach Park Hang-seo, are about to advance to the World Cup Asian final qualifiers. It will be their first time in history if Vietnam, who lead Group G, can advance to the final qualifying round.”

On Yonhap, reporter Ahn Hong-seok also believed in the ability of the Vietnamese team to continue: “If Vietnam win or draw in their final match with the UAE on the June 15, they will advance to the final qualifiers, topping the group. Even if Vietnam lose to the UAE, there is a possibility they will advance to the final qualifier as the group’s runners-up.”

In an article published on OSEN on early June 12, the author said Park’s talent was once again confirmed, helping Vietnamese football prepare to turn a new page in its history.

To hold in their own hands the keys to an historic berth in the final stages, Park’s side need at least one point in the last match against hosts UAE. However, according to Park, Vietnam will continue to confidently aim for victory, although that goal will be more difficult against an in-form UAE.

The final match of the Vietnamese team in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in Asia against the UAE will take place at 23:45 (Hanoi time) on June 15 at the Zabeel Stadium in Dubai.

Source: VNA

Tiger Beer will also roll out its “Open Tiger cans to win golden balls” promotion campaign, offering millions of prizes with a total value of hundreds of billions of Vietnam dong. This promotion is available in seven cities and provinces including Ho Chi Minh City, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, and Danang.

This is Tiger Beer’s biggest promotion ever

Starting during the FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualification and UEFA Euro 2020 Finals, Tiger Beer will offer Vietnamese football fans valuable prizes including seven Tiger golden balls valued at VND1 billion ($43,470) each; 8,000 gold Tiger medals valued at one mace of SJC gold each, and millions of phone cards (VND20,000 each). Consumers will have the opportunity to win one of these prizes when purchasing the limited-edition Tiger and Tiger Crystal cans available in the above-mentioned cities and provinces from now until August 31.

The promotion prizes include seven Tiger golden balls, 8,000 gold Tiger medals, and millions of phone cards

This promotion is available in seven cities and provinces in central and southern localities

The first and second prizes (Tiger golden balls and gold medals) can be redeemed at Tiger Beer offices in Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, and Ba Ria-Vung Tau. Third prize winners can redeem their phone card prizes at Tiger Beer’s redemption points at the above-mentioned seven cities and provinces. This promotion is only available to consumers from 18 years and above. The redemption period will take place from now until 17:00 on October 15.

Due to the pandemic, consumers tend to enjoy their meals at home

As most of the matches this season take place at midnight (Vietnam time), football fans will watch these matches at home

The limited-edition Tiger and Tiger Crystal cans launched as part of this promotion campaign come with a distinctive look while keeping the same bold taste of Tiger Beer.

The article titled “Vietnam should play a major part in Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy” was written by Geoff Donald, the CABC’s advocacy chair and managing director at Asia Engagement Consulting Group.

According to him, with a rapidly growing population that is expected to reach 120 million by 2050 and a strong GDP forecast of 6.5 percent growth in 2021, Vietnam is a high-potential market for Canadian companies especially in key industries such as agro-food.

Since 2015, Vietnam has been Canada’s largest trading partner in Southeast Asia with two-way trade reaching a record 11.2 billion CAD (9.2 billion USD) in 2020. With the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Canadian and Vietnamese exporters and investors now enjoy increased market access and tariff reduction in a rules-based trading environment.

Two-way trade has increased by 12 percent over 2019 and by 37 percent compared with 2018, when the CPTPP began to take effect.

Canada’s and Vietnam’s commitment to multilateral trade through the CPTPP and critical new opportunities such as a potential Canada-ASEAN free trade agreement positions Vietnam as an essential partner for Canada in the decades ahead, the author affirmed

As Canada looks to develop an Indo-Pacific strategy, the CABA urges public policymakers and business leaders to prioritise this relationship by increasing support to small and mid-size enterprises looking to take advantage of the CPTPP; expanding Canada-Vietnam business collaborations in high-growth sectors such as agro-food, aerospace, infrastructure, financial services and digital economy; and negotiating a Canada-ASEAN free trade agreement to increase the overall opportunities for Canada in Southeast Asia.

The CABC acts as the voice of the Canadian private sector in ASEAN, and its members, including many of Canada’s leading firms such as Manulife, have a significant and longstanding presence in Vietnam, and many more companies are following suit.

Source: VNA