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One day after arriving in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Vietnam national futsal team played an exhibition match with Iraq at Khorfakkan Arena.
Vietnam fielded five experienced players and created many chances but failed to convert them. Iraq entered the game with a slower tempo but scored first from a counter-attack following a mistake by the Vietnam defense. The score was leveled at the end of the first half, when Vietnam found the equalizer, also from a counter-attack.
In the second half, Vietnam continued to create more opportunities to score, finding the net in the 35th minute from a tap-in.
Since this was a closed game, Vietnam and Iraq did not hesitate to use their best tactics. This helped both teams evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents and properly adjust.
Vietnam will face Lebanon in the World Cup playoff, with the first leg on May 23 and the second two days later. The other playoff will pit Iraq against Thailand.
Two playoff winners will qualify for Futsal World Cup 2021 in Lithuania, scheduled to take place from Sept. 12 to Oct. 3.
If Vietnam could beat Lebanon, they will qualify for the Futsal World Cup for the second time, the first being in 2017.
