The Vietnam national football team’s recent change in head coach has added a layer of complexity for the Philippines as they prepare for their World Cup 2026 qualifying match at My Dinh Stadium on June 6. This observation was made by Philippines head coach Tom Saintfiet, who anticipates a tough encounter against a rejuvenated Vietnamese side.
Saintfiet, along with the Philippines national team, arrived in Hanoi this afternoon after several days of preparation in the UAE for the final two matches in Group F of the Asian qualifiers for the World Cup 2026. During a media interaction upon their arrival, Saintfiet praised Vietnam for its rich history and vibrant football culture.
“This is going to be a very tough match because Vietnam is a strong opponent,” Saintfiet remarked. “They have passionate fans, and we are looking forward to the challenge.”
The Belgian coach highlighted that the challenge is further compounded by the recent change in Vietnam’s coaching staff. “They have just appointed a new head coach, which makes it harder for us because we only have footage of the team under Philippe Troussier. I don’t know how the new coach will change their tactics or personnel,” Saintfiet explained.
Saintfiet acknowledged the credentials of Vietnam’s new head coach, Kim Sang-sik, noting his impressive track record in South Korea. “I am aware of Coach Kim from my time with the Gambia national team. One of my former players, Modou Barrow, joined Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors when Kim was in charge there in 2020. He is a highly capable coach.”
Despite the challenges, Saintfiet emphasized the Philippines’ determination to secure a victory at My Dinh Stadium. “We are here to win,” he stated firmly. “Vietnam also has ambitions to advance to the next round, competing with Indonesia.”
Currently, the Philippines are at the bottom of Group F with one point, trailing Vietnam and Indonesia, who have three and seven points respectively. Iraq leads the group with 12 points and has already secured a spot in the next round. For the Philippines to progress, they must win against both Vietnam and Indonesia, and hope that Indonesia loses their remaining matches.
The Philippines squad for this round of qualifiers includes 28 players, with 22 of them playing abroad. Only ten players from the squad that lost 2-0 to Vietnam in their opening match of the second round of World Cup qualifiers in November 2023 have been retained. Saintfiet has also introduced eight new players in an effort to refresh the team.
The recent history between the two teams does not favor the Philippines, as they have lost all five of their last encounters with Vietnam. Their most recent victory over Vietnam was a 1-0 win during the group stage of the 2012 AFF Cup.
As both teams gear up for the crucial match, all eyes will be on how the new strategies and team dynamics unfold under the guidance of their respective coaches. The match on June 6 promises to be a significant one, with high stakes for both Vietnam and the Philippines in their quest for World Cup qualification.
Leave a Reply