Vietnam miss key players for World Cup qualifiers

By Nghia Phu March 14, 2022 | 01:13 am PT

Vietnam national football team during a training session. Photo by Vietnam Football Federation

Coach Park Hang-seo had to replace four players in the squad for the remaining World Cup qualifiers, including main keeper Bui Tan Truong and defender Tran Dinh Trong.

Truong got Covid-19 for the second time, while Trong was injured again. Besides, midfielder To Van Vu also got Covid while defender Nguyen Van Vi proved unfit to play.

Replacing the four players are keeper Nguyen Van Hoang, midfielder Chau Ngoc Quang, defenders Do Thanh Thinh and Nguyen Thanh Binh.

The national and U23 teams are set to gather on March 14 for training at the The Promotion Fund of Vietnamese Football Talent Academy. The national team will play Oman on March 24 and Japan five days later as part of their World Cup qualifiers. Meanwhile, the U23s will compete at 2022 Dubai Cup in UAE from March 23 to 29. This is an important preparation for SEA Games 31 in May.

Therefore, Park has handed over the U23 team to his assistant Lee Young-jin for Dubai Cup. Assiting Lee will be two domestic coaches and physical expert Cedric Roger.