Despite facing a formidable opponent and having to play in harsh weather conditions in Iraq, Coach Kim Sang-sik remains optimistic that the Vietnam national football team can pull off a surprise.
“I know you are quite exhausted after the long journey and recent matches. However, we have come here with the hope of defeating Iraq. Our goal is very clear, so I urge everyone to think positively and stay united,” Coach Kim encouraged his players during their first training session in Basra.
“I want you to manage yourselves well, recover the best you can, and be in optimal condition for the match against Iraq. They also have their challenges, having just played in Indonesia. The team that prepares better and has a stronger desire to win will come out on top. I believe that Vietnam can achieve something remarkable,” he added.
The Korean coach acknowledged that Iraq has several advantages over Vietnam, but he remains hopeful for a strong performance from his team. “I know the people of Iraq are passionate about football. We will undoubtedly face immense pressure from 65,000 fans. But we have come here with great hope for a victory. The Vietnam national team will give their all to achieve the best possible result,” Coach Kim confidently stated.
Players’ Determination
Team captain Do Hung Dung expressed high determination: “It will be very challenging for us to play here in the summer. The low humidity and overall conditions are tough. However, we still have four days to adjust and adapt to everything. We know Iraq is a very strong opponent, possibly in the top five in Asia. Even though our fate partly depends on the Philippines-Indonesia match, the whole team will strive to get a good result against Iraq.”
Center-back Bui Hoang Viet Anh echoed this sentiment: “Iraq is very strong, and we are aware of that. The upcoming match will be tough. The Vietnam team must try to play with the highest determination and focus. Supporters are very important for us at this time. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a win. We hope to continue receiving support from fans to achieve the best results in the upcoming match.”
Training Amidst Harsh Conditions
On the evening of June 8 local time, the Vietnam national team began their first training session in Basra to prepare for the match against the host nation Iraq. Coach Kim Sang-sik and his team are determined to overcome the challenges of playing away from home and aim for victory.
This task is far from easy. Besides facing a higher-ranked opponent with home advantage, the team must quickly adjust to the time difference and the extreme summer weather in Iraq, where daytime temperatures peak at 47-48 degrees Celsius. Even during their evening training session at 20:00, the temperature remained above 40 degrees Celsius, making the conditions unbearably hot. Despite this, the team maintained their spirit and optimism, aiming for the best possible outcome in their match against Iraq at 01:00 on June 12.
The upcoming match is crucial for Vietnam’s hopes of advancing in the World Cup 2026 qualifiers. After five matches, Iraq leads Group F with 15 points, Indonesia is second with 7 points, Vietnam is third with 6 points, and the Philippines is last with 1 point. While Iraq has secured their spot, and the Philippines are out of contention, both Vietnam and Indonesia still have a chance to advance. For Vietnam to go through, they need a positive result against Iraq and a favorable outcome in the match between Indonesia and the Philippines.
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