Ho Chi Minh City, April 8, 2025 – Striker Nguyen Thinh Phat scored a crucial goal in the Vietnam futsal team’s 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia in a friendly match at District 8 Futsal Arena on April 8. The game, part of a two-match FIFA Days series this month, saw Vietnam edge out their Middle Eastern rivals in a tense clash.
Coach Diego Giustozzi surprised fans in the opener by starting 2005-born pivot Nguyen Da Hai, relegating 2024 Vietnam Futsal Golden Ball winner Thinh Phat to the second unit. Just two minutes in, Da Hai and Chau Doan Phat squandered golden chances, failing to beat Saudi goalkeeper Humocco Al Dahhan in one-on-one situations. Saudi Arabia soon found their footing, matching Vietnam’s intensity, but stellar performances from goalkeepers Ho Van Y and Al Dahhan kept the first half scoreless.
Giustozzi reshuffled his units at halftime, and the tweak paid off. Three minutes into the second half, Dinh Cong Vien darted down the right flank and crossed to the far post, where Thinh Phat arrived to drill an angled shot past Al Dahhan, breaking the deadlock at 1-0. Vietnam rode the momentum, doubling their lead in the 32nd minute. A wayward pass from Saudi’s Nawaf Aroan gifted Ngoc Anh a chance, and he rifled a fierce shot into the far corner for 2-0.
Trailing by two, Saudi coach Andreu Plaz deployed a power-play tactic. It bore fruit in the 38th minute when Fahad Rudayni capitalized on a scramble in the box to poke home, narrowing the gap to 2-1. In the final minute-plus, Vietnam’s players threw themselves into every challenge. Ho Van Y stood tall in goal, thwarting Saudi’s late push to secure the win as Thai referee Chonlaka blew the final whistle.
The teams will face off again in two days at Lanh Binh Thang Arena for the return friendly. Thinh Phat’s strike—his eighth in 12 caps this year—and Vietnam’s resilience signal strong form ahead of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers later in 2025. For Saudi Arabia, the loss stings, but their late rally hints at a fiercer rematch on April 10.
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