Vietnam’s futsal team faced a disappointing end to their World Cup qualifying campaign, falling to Kyrgyzstan in a tense match that closed their hopes of attending the 2024 Futsal World Cup.
The team’s coach, Diego Giustozzi, expressed pride in the efforts despite the outcome, highlighting the highs and lows of the game in his post-match analysis.
During the first half, Vietnam displayed superior gameplay, taking the lead and demonstrating control over the match. “We performed better in the first half and had the upper hand,” said Coach Giustozzi. However, the second half saw a shift in momentum as the match balanced out, with Vietnam struggling to penetrate Kyrgyzstan’s defense. “We managed to equalize, but a late error allowed Kyrgyzstan to secure a decisive goal,” he added, reflecting on the pivotal moments that tipped the match.
Giustozzi defended his decision to employ a power-play tactic towards the end of the game when the score was tied at 2-2, opting for an aggressive strategy instead of holding back for penalties. “In the closing minutes, Kyrgyzstan played five forwards. We could have played defensively, but I believed in organizing a good play to score… Unfortunately, a mistake cost us dearly. It’s a common occurrence in this sport, and it’s regrettable that we couldn’t convert our chances into a win,” he explained.
Expressing his gratitude towards the fans, Giustozzi acknowledged the challenges faced by the team against increasingly strong opponents. “Many teams have progressed to levels comparable or even superior to ours. It’s surprising to see teams that, with just two to three months of preparation, reach our level. This is quite special and requires us to rethink our approach,” he remarked.
Concluding his reflections, Giustozzi affirmed the commitment and effort of his team, “This was our best squad, and we came here aiming for a World Cup berth. We fought hard in every game. It’s difficult to articulate my feelings at this moment. In time, I will provide a more detailed evaluation of our performances.”
The loss to Kyrgyzstan not only marks the end of Vietnam’s current World Cup journey but also signals a need for strategic reevaluation as the team looks to future international competitions.
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