The Vietnamese football team is facing a historic opportunity and coach Park Hang Seo and his team will once again make Vietnamese football history.

Matches in Group G in the second qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup in Asia started on June 3.

Thailand recorded a 2-2 draw against Indonesia and were unlucky not to come away with a win after dominating large spells of the game and going two goals ahead. However, the Indonesian players showed great heart and skill to come back and manage to level the game in the 90th minute.

Meanwhile, hosts the UAE demonstrated their excellence by trouncing Malaysia 4-0. This win helped the UAE climb to nine points, level with Thailand and Malaysia, and be in second place in the group as they have a higher goal differences compared to their rivals.

Vietnam is currently the top of the group with 11 points, followed by the UAE on nine points. Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia are in third, fourth, and fifth place in Group G.

Vietnam is scheduled to take on Indonesia on June 7, Malaysia on June 11, followed by the UAE on June 15.

The Korean media congratulated Korean coach Shin Tae Yong of Indonesia on his successful official debut, forcing the stronger rival of Thailand to divide the points. It was also the first score Indonesia had gained so far, after being eliminated earlier by five previous defeats.

Now, the Koreans are waiting for the 'derby’ between the two Korean coaches - Park Hang Seo and Shin Tae Yong - in the match between Vietnam and Indonesia on June 7.

Yonhap News, Seoul Shimbun and Sports Seoul all said that the Vietnamese team has a great opportunity to win a card to the final qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup in Asia.

“With the current situation in Group G, Vietnam tops this group, and the door opens widely. As long as they keep first place in this group, Park Hang Seo and his players will make history,” A Korean newspaper wrote.

Photo: The Korean media believes that the Vietnamese team under the instruction of coach Park will get a card to the third qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup in Asia.

“Even if Vietnam is ranked second, the Vietnamese team still has a chance to get a card, although it will be quite thorny due to the withdrawal of North Korea, so all results related to the bottom-ranked team will be annulled," said Sports Seoul.

Seoul Shimbun wrote: "Coach Shin Tae Yong just made his successful debut with Indonesia through a 2-2 draw with Thailand and he will have a 'derby' with compatriot Park Hang Seo of the Vietnamese team.”

If Vietnam defeats Indonesia and the UAE wins over Thailand on the same day, coach Park Hang Seo and his players will get closer to their goal of entering the final qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup in Asia.

However, Yonhap News warned coach Park to be careful, mentioning his past confrontation with coach Shin Tae Yong at club level.

At the K-League, coach Tae Yong and his team - Seongnam Ilhwa (currently Seongnam FC) played against coach Park’s team - Jeonnam Dragons and Sangju Sangmu 10 times from 2009 to 2012, with 8 wins, 1 draw and only one lose.

Mai Nguyen

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