With reasonable defensive tactics and high competitive spirit, Vietnam drew 1-1 with the Czech Republic in the last match of Group D of FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021 on September 19. One point earned from the match helped Vietnam ensure a place in the round of 16.
With reasonable defensive tactics and high competitive spirit, Vietnam drew 1-1 with the Czech Republic in the last match of Group D of FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021 on September 19. One point earned from the match helped Vietnam ensure a place in the round of 16.
Facing strong opponents, who were superior in all aspects, Vietnam chose to play defensively. Right at the beginning of the match, the Czech Republic showed their strong determination to win the match. They had much higher percentage of ball possession and shots on target than Vietnam.
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Goalkeeper Ho Van Y worked hard to save shots from the Czech Republic and performed his duty excellently. Playing defensively, Vietnam suddenly has the opener after Chau Hoang Phat took advantage of mistake from the Czech Republic and struck the ball into the net in the 35th minute. However, Luka Resetar took advantage of an imprecise pass from a Vietnamese player and scored the equalizer for the Czech Republic. In the last minutes of the match, the Czech Republic increased pressure on the field of Vietnam and applied power-play to find another goal. Vietnamese players played with high concentration and successfully protected the goal, earning one precious point.
Another match of Group D, between Brazil and Panama, ended 5-1 for Brazil. Thus, after three matches, Brazil rank first with nine points; the Czech Republic are 2nd with four points (goal difference 0); Vietnam place third with four point (goal difference -7); Panama are fourth without any point. This result assures Vietnam of progressing to the round of 16 as one of the four best third-place teams.
Progressing to FIFA Futsal World Cup and the round of 16 for two times is a great achievement of Vietnam’s futsal. With the performance of the national team in the past three matches, Vietnamese fans can hope that coach Pham Minh Giang and his players will keep playing tenaciously towards quarter-final.
An Nhien
Translated by H.N
