Ho Chi Minh City, 8 October 2025 – Ahead of the crucial 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, Nepal’s head coach Matthew Ross affirmed that his team would aim to secure at least a point when facing Vietnam, despite acknowledging the hosts’ superior strength and technical ability.
The upcoming match between Vietnam and Nepal has drawn significant attention as coach Kim Sang Sik’s squad must collect all three points to stay in contention for a place at the 2027 Asian Cup finals. Meanwhile, Nepal arrive in Ho Chi Minh City with determination and a fighting spirit under coach Matthew Ross, who is eager to see his side bounce back from their previous defeat.
“Our goal is to get points. Three points would be amazing, but even one point would make us happy,” said coach Ross. “We were disappointed after the loss to Laos in the previous round, so we will try to perform better this time.”
Ross acknowledged Vietnam’s superior quality, speed, and technique, predicting that the home side would play attacking football. “Vietnam are a strong team with great attacking intent. They have many young U23 players full of energy and hunger to prove themselves, which adds a new dimension to their play. Nepal are the underdogs, and we will do our best to stay solid defensively,” the coach emphasized.
The Nepal coach also revealed that his team faced certain challenges during this international window, as they had no friendly matches in August or September. Nevertheless, Ross believes this match is a valuable opportunity for his players to demonstrate their potential. “Some of our players dream of playing abroad in countries like Vietnam, Singapore, or Cambodia. These are the games where they must show their quality,” he said.
When asked about his impression of Vietnam’s coach Kim Sang Sik, Ross smiled and responded: “I don’t know him personally, but I learned a lot about Korean football philosophy — their tactical discipline and fighting spirit. I can somehow imagine the style he will bring tomorrow. I understand a little bit of Korean, so maybe I can overhear something useful during the game,” he joked.
The match between Vietnam and Nepal is scheduled to kick off at 19:30 on October 9 at Go Dau Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City. With Vietnam under pressure to win and Nepal motivated to surprise, the clash promises to deliver an exciting contest between determination and ambition.
Thanh Trang
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