Tonight, June 6th, the Vietnamese national team faced off against the Philippines in the fifth round of Group F in the second round of World Cup 2026 qualifiers. Prior to the match, Vietnam received a boost as Indonesia fell to a 0-2 defeat against Iraq.
With a victory over the Philippines, Vietnam’s path to the next round would become clearer. Thus, Coach Kim Sang-sik’s players started the game with high spirits and dominated the first 15 minutes.
However, the Philippines gradually found their footing and posed challenges for the home team. The first half ended in a goalless draw, with both sides failing to break the deadlock.
In the second half, Vietnam continued to struggle against the resilient defense of the Philippines. In fact, defensive errors led to the home side conceding a goal in the 62nd minute. Nevertheless, striker Tien Linh responded brilliantly, scoring twice in the 65th and 76th minutes to put Vietnam ahead 2-1.
As the match neared its conclusion, it seemed Vietnam would hold on to their 2-1 lead. However, the visitors equalized in the 89th minute, setting up a dramatic finish. During the seven minutes of added time, Vietnam launched a series of fierce attacks. In the 95th minute, Tuan Anh’s long-range shot was parried by the Philippines’ goalkeeper, allowing Tuan Hai to pounce and score the decisive goal, sealing a 3-2 victory for Vietnam.
This win reignites Vietnam’s hopes of progressing to the next round. In the final match, Vietnam must defeat Iraq, and hope that Indonesia fails to beat the Philippines, to secure a place in the third round of World Cup qualifiers.
Key Moments of the Match:
- First Half: Both teams had several opportunities but failed to score, resulting in a 0-0 draw at halftime.
- 62nd Minute: The Philippines capitalized on a defensive error by Vietnam to take a 1-0 lead.
- 65th Minute: Tien Linh equalized for Vietnam with a well-placed shot.
- 76th Minute: Tien Linh scored again to put Vietnam ahead 2-1.
- 89th Minute: The Philippines scored a late equalizer, making it 2-2.
- 95th Minute: Tuan Hai scored the winning goal for Vietnam after Tuan Anh’s powerful shot was parried.
Post-Match Reactions:
- Coach Kim Sang-sik: Praised the team’s resilience and determination to secure the win, emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus for the final match against Iraq.
- Tien Linh: Expressed his satisfaction with the goals and highlighted the team’s collective effort in securing the victory.
- Tuan Hai: Acknowledged the crucial role of the fans in spurring the team on to victory.
Looking Ahead:
Vietnam’s final group match against Iraq will be crucial. A win, coupled with a favorable result in the Indonesia vs. Philippines match, could see Vietnam advance to the next stage of World Cup qualifiers. The team’s performance tonight has boosted their confidence and provided the momentum needed to face this challenging task. Fans and players alike are eagerly anticipating the decisive match, hoping for another display of skill and determination from “The Golden Dragons.”
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