NDO – Vietnam assistant coach Lu Dinh Tuan hailed the Golden Star Warriors’ maiden progression into the final round of the World Cup qualifiers as a national pride, affirming that the team will bring the Vietnamese spirit and image to the Asian arena.

> Vietnam set new points record for Southeast Asia at World Cup qualifiers

> Vietnam make history with first-ever slot in final round of World Cup qualifiers

Tuan was assigned by head coach Park Hang-seo to attend the press conference after their last Group G match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on June 15.

Vietnam started the top-spot decider with great focus and abided by the set tactics; however, the UAE utilised their home-field advantage and quality players to produce a prevailing game against the Southeast Asian side.

Trailing by three goals, the Vietnamese still fought bravely and strived to seek ways through the hosts’ defence. With a never-say-die spirit, Nguyen Tien Linh and Tran Minh Vuong then found the back of the net to narrow the gap to 2-3. Unfortunately, the remaining time of the match was not enough for the Golden Star Warriors to make a comeback.

“Vietnam played below par in the opening minutes, partly attributed to the players’ declining physical fitness following two successive games. In the second half, we made some lineup and tactical adjustments, fighting with the Vietnamese spirit and scoring two goals. I am very pleased with the whole team’s fighting spirit today,” Tuan said.

Vietnam assistant coach Lu Dinh Tuan speaks at the press conference. (Photo: VFF)

Despite failing to defend their top spot in Group G, Vietnam still overcame other competitors to progress into the final round of the World Cup qualifiers for the first time as one of the five best runners-up, thus writing a new page in the history of Vietnamese football.

“We are very proud as this is the first time Vietnam have gone such far in the World Cup qualifying campaign. We hope that this feat will work as a source of encouragement for the whole nation in combating the pandemic,” the assistant coach added.

Today (June 16), the Vietnamese team will return home on a flight of Bamboo Airways which is expected to land at Tan Son Nhat International Airport on June 17 morning. Five players of Viettel FC - Que Ngoc Hai, Bui Tien Dung, Nguyen Trong Hoang, Nguyen Thanh Binh and Nguyen Hoang Duc - will fly directly to Bangkok, Thailand, to prepare for their 2021 AFC Champions League campaign.

After their entry, all members of the national squad will be quarantined at a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City in accordance with regulations on COVID-19 prevention and control.

Vietnam advance to the final round of the World Cup qualifiers as one of the best runners-up.