Iraq national football team take private flight to Hanoi for World Cup qualifiers

By Hoang Nguyen November 17, 2023 | 04:17 pm PT

Iraq national football team before the flight to Hanoi on Nov. 16, 2023. Photo by Iraq Football Association

The national football team of Iraq arrived in Hanoi on Friday to prepare for the next match with Vietnam in the second round of World Cup qualifiers next week.

The team took a private flight on a full-size aircraft of Iraqi Airways to Hanoi on Friday noon, after defeating Indonesia at home on Thursday night, Thanh Nien Newspaper reported.

A few days ago, Vietnam Football Federation and authorities had a meeting to discuss security and safety before, during and after the match; provide security for Iraq national team at the airport and accommodation, during training and competition.

During the match day, related units will coordinate to ensure security and order at the stadium.

The match between Vietnam and Iraq will take place on Nov. 21 at the national stadium of My Dinh.

Tickets to the game were opened for purchase on Thursday.

In the first round, Vietnam won 2-0 against Philippines while Iraq thrashed Indonesia 5-1. Both teams are having three points in group F but Iraq took the top spot due to having a better goal difference.

"We will try to get at least a point in the game against Iraq," said forward Nguyen Van Toan, who scored the opening goal for Vietnam against Philippines.