Vietnam vs China World Cup 2022: Date and Time, Team News, Preview, Prediction

Vietnam and China will kick off against each other in the final round of World Cup 2022 at 0am on October 8 (Vietnam time), which many football lovers await for the match. It will be played behind closed doors due to COVID-19, according to Sharjah stadium's managing board.

Charlotte Pho

October 07, 2021 | 13:11

The Vietnamese national team’s upcoming fixture against China at the Sharjah stadium in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the final round of Asian qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup is attracting huge attention from football fans.

According to the Korean head coach Park Hang-seo, he and his coaching assistants are thoroughly prepared for the game, with both sides on zero points after their two opening matches.

Vietnam lost 3-1 to Saudi Arabia in their away game and then suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Australia in Hanoi.

China currently finish bottom of Group B and trail behind Vietnam on goal difference. They lost both of their opening games and have so far failed to score a goal or register a single shot on target.

Vietnam vs China World Cup 2022: Date and Time

The football match between Vietnam and China in the final round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers at the Sharjah stadium in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this week will be played behind closed doors due to COVID-19, according to the stadium's managing board.

The game will kick off at 0am on October 8 (Vietnam time).

Vietnam vs China Team News

Photo: AFC

Vietnam

Head coach Park Hang-seo has called up a 27-man squad for this month's double-header against China and Oman.

Experienced midfielder Que Ngoc Hai will once again captain the side, while 23-year-old forward Pham Tuan Hai is gunning for his first cap.

However, the side were hit with injury concerns recently as midfield duo Nguyen Trong Huang and Tran Minh Voung both withdrew from the squad.

Injured: Nguyen Trong Huang and Tran Minh Voung

Suspended: None

China

Li Tie has called up a huge squad, with prolific scorer Wu Lei the only foreign-based player.

The Espanyol forward flew in straight from Spain after his side's shock 2-1 defeat of Real Madrid.

He was their top scorer in the second round with eight goals, behind only UAE's Ali Mabkhout and Japanese star Takumi Minamino. But Lei is yet to open his account for the final round.

Injured: None

Suspended: None

Unavailable: None

Vietnam vs China World Cup 2022: Predicted Lineups

Vietnam (4-4-2): Tran Nguyen Manh; Que Ngoc Hai, Bui Tieng Dung, Nguyen Thanh Chung, Nguyen Phong Hong Duy; Nguyen Hoang Duc, Nguyen Trong Hoang, Nguyen Tuan Anh, Nguyen Quang Hai; Nguyen Van Toan, Nguyen Tien Linh.

China (4-3-3): Yan Junling; Wang Shenchao, Li Lei, Zhang Linpeng, Wang Gang; Yin Hongbo, Wu Xi, Jin Jingdao; Wu Lei, Elkeson, Alan.

Vietnam vs China World Cup 2022: Match Preview

A training session of Vietnam (Photo: VFF)

China find themselves in a very strong Group B - featuring heavyweights Australia and Japan, as well as in-form Saudi Arabia and Oman sides - and they did not reach the group in the most convincing fashion.

They finished second to Syria in Group A of the second qualifying round and advanced as the best runner-up, having recovered from an awful start to the campaign that saw coach Marcello Lippi quit after a 2-1 loss to Syria.

His former assistant Li Tie took over and brought about a change in fortunes, securing four consecutive wins, but his side have not been able to carry that form into the next round and have suffered back-to-back defeats.

It has been, admittedly, the toughest start possible with games against Australia and Japan - The Socceroos comfortably beat China 3-0 before The Samurai Blue edged a slightly closer contest 1-0.

Li will be determined to turn things around in the next two fixtures and build some momentum, and their next opponents probably provide the best opportunity for them to do so.

Vietnam also qualified as one of the best runners-up, having finished second behind United Arab Emirates in one of the biggest stories of the second round.

The lowest-ranked team in the group began the third round with a tough trip away at Saudi Arabia and, despite producing a perfect start as star man Nguyen Quang Hai netted a third-minute opener, they ultimately lost 3-1 with 10 men after Do Duy Manh was shown a red card early in the second half.

Things did not get any easier as they then welcomed group favourites Australia and manager Park Hang-seo would have been reasonably pleased to see his side produce a disciplined performance and keep the scoreline to a very respectable 1-0.

The Golden Stars must now set about picking up some points, however.

The match against neighbours China is crucial if they are to retain any hope of bagging a qualification spot and, with a trip to Oman next week, this promising generation of Vietnamese talent will feel these are two matches in which they stand a decent chance.

Match against China at World Cup qualifiers important to Vietnam

Photo: Thanh Nien

The match against China in the final round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is important to Vietnam, head coach Park Hang-seo affirmed at a press conference before the match, which is scheduled to take place at 0am on October 8 (Vietnam time).

Both Vietnam and China suffered losses in their first two matches of the final round, so they are aiming for the third match, with a hope to have at least one point to find a transition in the upcoming journey, Park said.

He said he is under a bit of pressure, as he knows Vietnamese fans are looking forward to this match. For players, the head coach pledged to find ways to relieve them of pressure.

Vietnam will seek the best way to play the game, he stated adding that how to constrain China’s playing style is decisive to the upcoming match.

Shot-shy China looking to hit the target against Vietnam in World Cup qualifiers

China’s Wu Lei celebrates after scoring during the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualification group A match against Syria. Photo: AFP

Two games into the final phase of Asia’s World Cup qualifiers and China are already facing a must-win game against Vietnam on Thursday as Li Tie’s team look to avoid becoming also-rans in the quest for places at Qatar 2022.

Back-to-back defeats against Australia and Japan were not unexpected in their opening matches in group B but Li’s side failed to register a shot on target in either game.

“We did not play well in the first two matches, where we saw the gap between us and them,” Chinese defender Yu Dabao said last week.

“But we cannot give up and need to perform well in the next two games against Vietnam and Saudi Arabia.

“I am sure we have a physical advantage against Vietnam and we need to be mentally prepared. For us it’s important to have self-confidence.”

China’s Wu Lei celebrates after scoring during the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualification group A match against Syria. Photo: AFPChina’s Wu Lei celebrates after scoring during the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualification group A match against Syria. Photo: AFP

China’s Wu Lei celebrates after scoring during the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualification group A match against Syria. Photo: AFP

Back-to-back defeats against Australia and Japan were not unexpected in their opening matches in group B but Li’s side failed to register a shot on target in either game.

“We did not play well in the first two matches, where we saw the gap between us and them,” Chinese defender Yu Dabao said last week.

“But we cannot give up and need to perform well in the next two games against Vietnam and Saudi Arabia.

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“I am sure we have a physical advantage against Vietnam and we need to be mentally prepared. For us it’s important to have self-confidence.”

China’s hopes of a first World Cup appearance since 2002 had grown after the team squeezed into the final round in June but September’s lacklustre performances have piled on the pressure.

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