Hanoi, 11 September, 2025 – Vietnam national football team have received a major boost ahead of their upcoming Asian Cup 2027 qualifying campaign, as Nepal have decided to play their designated “home” match at Thong Nhat Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City.
According to the latest schedule for the FIFA Days in October 2025, Vietnam will face Nepal in a two-legged encounter in Group F. The first leg remains unchanged and will be held at Go Dau Stadium in Binh Duong on October 9. However, in a surprising twist, Nepal have opted to relocate their home leg to Thong Nhat Stadium on October 14, effectively giving Vietnam a rare advantage of playing both matches on home soil.
This development spares coach Kim Sang Sik and his players from a long and exhausting trip to South Asia, ensuring that the squad can conserve energy and focus on tactical preparation. More importantly, the change allows Vietnamese fans in Ho Chi Minh City to turn out in large numbers to support the team, potentially creating a decisive atmosphere in favor of the home side.
The October double-header comes at a crucial time for Vietnam, who currently sit second in Group F after two matches, with one win and one loss. Securing maximum points against Nepal will be vital if the Golden Star Warriors are to strengthen their chances of advancing to the final tournament of the Asian Cup 2027 in Saudi Arabia.
In preparation, the Vietnam national team held a September training camp during the FIFA Days. Under the guidance of acting coach Dinh Hong Vinh while Kim Sang Sik managed the U23 squad, Vietnam played two friendly matches against domestic clubs Nam Dinh and Hanoi Police FC. These fixtures provided valuable opportunities to test tactical adjustments and assess squad depth.
Additionally, several standout performers from the U23 team—fresh off their qualification for the U23 Asian Cup 2026—are also being considered for senior team duty. Their inclusion could add fresh energy and competition for places in the October qualifiers.
Coach Kim Sang Sik is expected to finalize his squad list in the coming weeks, with a focus on blending experienced players like Nguyen Tien Linh and Do Hung Dung with promising talents such as Khuat Van Khang and Nguyen Dinh Bac.
The decision by Nepal to move their “home” game to Vietnam is seen as a golden opportunity. Playing both legs on familiar pitches, with strong backing from passionate supporters, could prove decisive in helping Vietnam collect six points and take a major step toward securing a place at the Asian Cup 2027 finals.
Hong Phuc
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