Vietnam vs Japan World Cup 2022: Date & Time, Preview, Team News, Prediction

Vietnam will face off with Japan this November 11 at My Dinh Stadium, and Vietnam is hoping to improve and raise their chances in this upcoming and challenging match with a strong opponent.

Charlotte Pho

November 09, 2021 | 13:29

Vietnam to lock horns with Japan at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi for World Cup Qualifiers. Despite its unsatisfying performances in the recent World Cup 2022 matches, Vietnam is still making history for coming this far in the game for the first time ever. On 11th November, the long-anticipated showdown between Vietnam and Japan for the Group B Asian qualifiers will occur on the football pitch of My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi.

Vietnam vs Japan World Cup 2022: Date & Time

Nguyen Thanh Binh (white jersey) during the World Cup qualifiers between China and Vietnam on October 8, 2021. Photo by AFP

The match between Vietnam and Japan will take place at 7 p.m. on Nov. 11 at My Dinh National Stadium.

Vietnam vs Japan World Cup 2022: Team News

1. Japan team news

PSV Eindhoven winger Ritsu Doan has been added to Japan's squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Vietnam and Oman, the Japan Football Association announced on Saturday.

Doan had initially been left off the squad for the games in Hanoi and Muscat, set for Nov. 11 and 16 respectively, because of a knee injury, according to France24.

However, coach Hajime Moriyasu has drafted the 23-year-old into his squad as Japan looks to overcome a disappointing start to the final phase of Asia's preliminaries for next year's World Cup in Qatar.

Japan squad for World Cup qualifiers against Vietnam on November 11 and Oman on November 16:

Goalkeepers: Eiji Kawashima (Strasbourg/FRA), Shuichi Gonda (Shimizu S-Pulse), Kosei Tani (Shonan Bellmare)

Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), Maya Yoshida (Sampdoria/ITA), Hiroki Sakai (Urawa Reds), Shogo Taniguchi (Kawasaki Frontale), Miki Yamane (Kawasaki Frontale), Sei Muroya (Hannover/GER), Kou Itakura (Schalke/GER), Yuta Nakayama (PEC Zwolle/NED), Reo Hatate (Kawasaki Frontale), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal/ENG)

Midfielders/Forwards: Yuya Osako (Vissel Kobe), Genki Haraguchi (Union Berlin/GER), Gaku Shibasaki (Leganes/ESP), Wataru Endo (Stuttgart/GER), Junya Ito (Genk/BEL), Takuma Asano (Bochum/GER), Takumi Minamino (Liverpool/ENG), Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic/SCO), Hidemasa Morita (Santa Clara/POR), Daichi Kamada (Eintracht Frankfurt/GER), Kaoru Mitoma (Union Saint-Gilloise/BEL), Daizen Maeda (Yokohama F Marinos), Ayase Ueda (Kashima Antlers), Ao Tanaka (Fortuna Dusseldorf/GER)

2. Vietnam team news

Photo: Baogiaothong

Defender Nguyen Thanh Binh has returned to the national team for their World Cup qualification campaign after the U23 Asian Cup qualifiers ended, according to VnExpress.

Binh is one of eight players called up to the national team after recently featuring in U23 Asian Cup qualifiers.

In the World Cup qualifying match with China on Oct. 8, Binh played as a substitute in the second half, but made two mistakes that caused Vietnam to concede two goals. After the game, Park moved Binh to the U23s and excluded him from the match with Oman.

During U23 Asian Cup qualifiers, Binh started in both games. He performed well and helped Vietnam keep a clean sheet against Taiwan and Myanmar to top group I and qualify for U23 Asian Cup 2022.

The national team will play the next World Cup qualifiers with Japan on Nov. 11 and Saudi Arabia five days later. Vietnam are last in group B, after losing their first four matches.

Goalkeepers: Dang Van Lam (Cerezo Osaka), Bui Tan Truong (Hanoi FC), Nguyen Van Toan (Hai Phong FC)

Defenders: Bui Tien Dung (Viettel FC), Que Ngoc Hai (Viettel FC), Nguyen Thanh Binh (Viettel FC), Ho Tan Tai (Topenland Binh Dinh), Vu Van Thanh (Hoang Anh Gia Lai), Do Duy Manh (Hanoi FC), Doan Van Hau (Hanoi FC), Nguyen Thanh Chung (Hanoi FC), Tran Dinh Trong (Hanoi FC), Bui Hoang Viet Anh (Hanoi FC), Le Van Xuan (Hanoi FC)

Midfielders: Nguyen Hoang Duc (Viettel FC), Nguyen Trong Hoang (Viettel FC), Phan Van Duc (Song Lam Nghe An), Nguyen Phong Hong Duy (Hoang Anh Gia Lai), Luong Xuan Truong (Hoang Anh Gia Lai), Nguyen Tuan Anh (Hoang Anh Gia Lai), Tran Minh Vuong (Hoang Anh Gia Lai), Nguyen Quang Hai (Hanoi FC), Pham Duc Huy (Hanoi FC), Ly Cong Hoang Anh (Hong Linh Ha Tinh), Nguyen Hai Long (Quang Ninh Coal)

Forwards: Ha Duc Chinh (SHB Da Nang), Nguyen Tien Linh (Becamex Binh Duong), Nguyen Cong Phuong (Hoang Anh Gia Lai), Nguyen Van Toan (Hoang Anh Gia Lai)

Vietnam vs Japan World Cup 2022: Predictions

Photo: VNA

Despite losing 3-2 against a useful Iraq side on match-day one, Vietnam didn’t look too bad. They weren’t great at the back and probably did give away too much for manager Hang-seo’s liking, though they surprised a few people by getting seriously competitive in the final third. On that occasion, they created chances and scored a couple of goals. Their opening match was followed by a very tough game against the side that has since gone on to become tournament favourites. Frankly, the Vietnamese can be forgiven for coming up short against Iran, while the fact that they avoided being battered is pleasing, according to Free Super Tips.

A convincing win against a poor Yemen side on match-day three set the Vietnamese on their way. Facing a Jordan side that impressed during the groups was never going to be easy, but the way in which Hang-seo’s men went about their business at this venue last time out was pleasing. They showed both character and desire to come back into the game after going a goal down, while their overall efforts at both ends of the pitch were admirable. Considering that Japan haven’t exactly brushed teams aside, the Vietnamese may just fancy themselves ahead of Thursday’s clash.

Japan did advance from the groups with a 100% record, though it wasn’t all plain sailing for Hajime Moriyasu’s men. They were pushed hard by Turkmenistan on match-day one before coming out on top by three goals to two, while Uzbekistan also gave the Japanese a game. Interestingly, Samurai Blue have been unable to win by more than a single goal margin since touching down in the United Arab Emirates.

Defensively, the Japanese have looked reasonably sturdy; they’ve not given too much away, while they’ve managed to be both professional and disciplined once in front in games, even if their negative tactics haven’t been great on the eye. However, while they’ve done well at the back, the Japanese have offered far less of a threat than many people would’ve expected them to. They’re averaging just 1.37 expected goals for at this tournament, while they clocked a rather embarrassing 0.66 against Saudi Arabia on Monday.

Considering that Japan have adopted a rather pragmatic approach at this tournament, coupled with the fact that they created very little against Saudi Arabia last time out, it’s easy to feel that they’re too short in the early betting. Vietnam have proved that they can compete and, if the Japanese continue to sit back, they ought to enjoy seeing plenty of the ball, as they did against both Yemen and Jordan.

Given the above, there are two bets that stand out. Firstly, ‘Vietnam +1 Asian Handicap’ looks overpriced. The Vietnamese did a good job of matching Jordan last time out and they’ve got little to fear if Japan continue to adopt a cautious approach. Secondly, ‘Under 2.5 Goals’ is also worth a go at the current prices. Neither side has looked overly creative – Japan clocked just 0.66 expected goals for last time out, while Vietnam managed 0.93 – and with Japan likely to focus on defensive solidity first and foremost, a low-scoring game seems a tad more likely than the current prices suggest.

Vietnam vs Japan match likely to be played behind closed doors

The Hanoi municipal administration stated on October 20 that it has not granted approval to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF)’s proposal to let vaccinated spectators enter the stadium to support the host team, reasoning COVID-19 fears remain a primary concern.

Organisers put forward a proposal on October 11 to receive supporters for the game. The suggestion was that the stadium could operate at 50% capacity in line with the recommendations put forward by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) now the COVID-19 pandemic has been brought under control, according to VOV.

Fans will be required to have certificates showing negative test results against COVID-19 and be fully vaccinated against the virus.

A VFF representative later said the VFF has requested its management body, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, to submit the proposal to the Prime Minister for consideration.

Vietnam are scheduled to face Japan and Saudi Arabia on November 11 and November 16, respectively, as part of the third round of Asian qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with both fixtures to get underway in Hanoi.

So far during the group stage, Vietnam have lost four games in a row after being outplayed by China, Saudi Arabia, Australia, and Oman. They are now at the bottom of Group B.