The Vietnamese national football team received positive news from FIFA after defeating Cambodia 2-1 in a friendly match held at Go Dau Stadium, Binh Duong, on the evening of March 19. The game was part of the international FIFA Days calendar.

Vietnam took the lead when Hai Long scored with a stunning free-kick, giving the "Golden Star Warriors" an early advantage. In the 35th minute, Van Vi doubled the lead with a well-placed strike, putting the home team in control.

However, after coach Kim Sang Sik substituted Hoang Duc and Quang Hai, Vietnam’s midfield weakened, leading to a conceded goal in the 65th minute. Despite creating several scoring opportunities in the final minutes, attempts from Van Vi, Chau Ngoc Quang, and Truong Tien Anh fell short.

Nevertheless, the victory provided a morale boost ahead of Vietnam’s opening match in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, where they will face Laos at the same venue on March 25.

The triumph over Cambodia not only secured a morale-boosting win but also improved Vietnam’s position on the FIFA rankings. According to calculations from Football Ranking, the national team earned an additional 2.72 points, moving up one spot to 111th place.

The team’s ranking could further improve if they secure another victory against Laos in the upcoming qualifier. Coach Kim Sang Sik and his squad are determined to build on their success and continue climbing the international standings.

Thien Binh