India vs Vietnam: Friendly Football Match at Thien Truong Stadium
The Indian senior men’s football team is set to play a friendly match against Vietnam at the Thien Truong Stadium in Nam Dinh, Vietnam, on Saturday. Originally planned as a tri-nation tournament with Lebanon, it became a one-off match after Lebanon’s withdrawal. The Indian team, known as the Blue Tigers, arrived in Nam Dinh on October 7 and has conducted five training sessions, including one at the stadium.
Preparation for AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers
This match is part of India’s preparation for the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers next year. Head coach Manolo Marquez expressed the importance of playing against a strong team like Vietnam, who have previously reached the final round of World Cup qualifiers. Midfielder Suresh Singh Wangjam, aiming for his 28th cap, emphasized the team’s determination to win, recalling a previous loss to Vietnam in 2022.
Vietnam’s Readiness and Strategy
Vietnam began their training on October 5 in Hanoi and recently won a practice match against Thep Xanh Nam Dinh FC. Head coach Kim Sang-sik highlighted the need for new energy and experienced players, despite some injuries in the squad. Forward Nguyen Van Toan noted the improved fitness of the team, ready to face India.
Match Expectations
Vietnam has a strong record in Nam Dinh, having won previous matches against Syria and Palestine. Coach Sang-sik hopes for enthusiastic support from fans, with the match being streamed live on FanCode at 16:30 IST.
Doubts Revealed
Friendly Football Match -: A friendly football match is a game played between two teams that is not part of a tournament or competition. It’s usually for practice or to build team spirit.
Thien Truong Stadium -: Thien Truong Stadium is a sports stadium located in Nam Dinh, Vietnam. It’s a place where football matches and other events are held.
Tri-nation event -: A tri-nation event is a sports competition involving three different countries. In this case, it was supposed to include India, Vietnam, and Lebanon.
Lebanon’s withdrawal -: Lebanon’s withdrawal means that the Lebanese team decided not to participate in the event. This can happen for various reasons like scheduling conflicts or other issues.
AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers -: The AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers are matches that determine which teams will play in the AFC Asian Cup, a major football tournament in Asia. Teams compete to qualify for the main event.
Coach Manolo Marquez -: Manolo Marquez is the coach of the Indian senior men’s football team. A coach is someone who trains and leads a sports team.
Midfielder Suresh Singh Wangjam -: Suresh Singh Wangjam is a player on the Indian football team. A midfielder is a player who plays in the middle part of the field and helps both in defense and attack.
Coach Kim Sang-sik -: Kim Sang-sik is the coach of the Vietnamese football team. Like Manolo Marquez, he trains and leads his team.
Fan support -: Fan support means the encouragement and cheering from people who like and follow a team. Fans often attend matches to show their support for their favorite team.
