Defender Xuan Manh: “Vietnam team has devised a strategy to counter Indonesia”.

Defender Pham Xuan Manh predicts that Vietnam will face many difficulties in their match against Indonesia in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on March 21, but is confident in the team’s preparation for the goal of winning all three points away from home.

Vietnam will visit Indonesia on March 21 and host them five days later at My Dinh Stadium. The outcomes of these two matches will significantly impact the team’s chances of advancing to the third qualifying round and the position of coach Philippe Troussier.

Meanwhile, Indonesia aims to win both matches against Vietnam. As part of their preparation, coach Shin Tae Yong has called up over a dozen naturalized players. In the first leg on March 21, Shin’s team will also have the significant advantage of playing at home, supported by nearly 80,000 enthusiastic fans. Tickets for the match at Bung Karno Stadium sold out within a few hours.

“The Bung Karno Stadium will be packed with fans, playing there we will face enormous pressure,” Xuan Manh expressed concern.

Despite having high regard for Indonesia, Xuan Manh stated that the Vietnam team is not intimidated. “We are highly focused and aiming for a victory over Indonesia. The coaching staff has noted that the opponent has many naturalized players. The team will try to analyze the play style of each of their naturalized players, both new and old. We also learn from what we did and did not do well in the match at the Asian Cup, thereby preparing as best we can for the upcoming match. We will try to improve on our shortcomings,” said the defender from Hanoi FC.

Xuan Manh also revealed that the Vietnam team has a plan to aim for three points on the opponent’s field. He said, “Facing a team with many naturalized players, Vietnam will need to execute faster and more accurate passes. Moreover, the team must try to make the most of the smallest opportunities. And in the opponent’s packed stadium, the team needs to maintain maximum concentration.”

A day after the match in Indonesia, the Vietnam team will travel back to Hanoi to prepare for the rematch with the opponent on March 26. Xuan Manh calls on fans to come to the stadium to support the team to “win and have the chance to advance in the World Cup qualifiers.”