Thể Thao 247 - Based on a recent announcement of FIFA, Vietnam NT almost will be eliminated out of the 2022 World Cup Qualifications race.
Recently, the Board of FIFA management approved that the 2022 Qatar World Cup is set to have just 32 participants.
Before that, Gianni Infantino president planned to raise the number of participants up to 48 teams but it would overload the Qatar organizer’s capacity.
By welcoming just 32 participants, Asia will make up only 4,5 slots, creating a fierce competition among the top teams. Is there any chance Vietnam can conquer 2022 World Cup dream?
Over the past 2 years, Vietnamese football has been developing with a great process and reaching numerous historic achievements by gaining AFC U-23 Championship runner-up position, through to top 4 Asiad, crowning AFF Cup title. Park Hang-seo’s side made it to the semi-finals of 2019 Asian Cup, which was equivalent to be top 8 strongest teams.
FIFA shut 2022 World Cup door of Vietnam NT
In 2022 World Cup Qualifications, Vietnam NT is set to warm up from round 2 with 6 matches in 2019 and 4 matches in 2020. If the Golden Dragons wants to go on the race, it needs to become 1 in 8 leader teams or 4 runner-up teams having great reaching. In round 3, 12 squads progressing to the final of 2022 World Cup Qualifications will be divided into 2 groups (6 teams/group, playing 2 legs). The two leader teams will seal slots to 2022 World Cup Finals.
The two ranked 3rd teams will have a play off to find out the winner who will get another play off with another continental team to seal the other ticket to travel to Qatar and attend 2022 World Cup Qualifications.
Clearly, fighting for 1 of 4,5 slots to head to Qatar is an impossible mission to Vietnam NT as with current potential, the Golden Dragons will unable to face such giants as Japan, Korea, Australia or Saudi Arabia.
Vietnam NT should set a goal to play with their best and to gather experience ahead of 2026 World Cup. Besides, The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) needs to speed up youth training task, improve and develop the U18 – U21 Vietnam generations to help the talents can keep up with the ‘golden generation of 1995-1997’.
Vietnam will be powerful enough to make it to the 2026 World Cup
2026 will be the golden time of Vietnamese football by having Cong Phuong, Quang Hai, Van Duc, Dinh Trong, and Van Hau who is stepping toward their acme of careers.
Also, Vietnam NT will be strengthened by owning the best youngster talents of 1999-2001 generation, at that time the ‘Golden Dragons’ is perfectly strong enough to dream the ‘World Cup dream’.
In the tournament of North America, Asia will get about 8 slots to attend the game and Vietnam will easily fight with top 2 teams to seal 1 of the 3-4 other tickets.
In the top 8 best Asia teams, Park Hang-seo side is equal with ranked 2nd teams such as UAE, Syria, China, or Saudi Arabia.
Doan Trang
