India vs Vietnam: A Historic Football Rivalry Renewed
Background of the Rivalry
India and Vietnam have a long-standing football rivalry dating back to the 1950s and 1970s. They played several matches against the former South Vietnam team in tournaments like the Merdeka Cup and Asian Games. However, in the 21st century, meetings have been rare, with the upcoming match in Nam Dinh being only the fourth encounter between India and unified Vietnam in senior internationals.
Previous Encounters
In 2004, Vietnam won 2-1 in the LG Cup in Ho Chi Minh City. In 2010, India triumphed 3-1 in Pune, thanks to a hat-trick by Sunil Chhetri. The most recent match was in 2022, where Vietnam won 3-0 in the Hung Thinh Friendly Tournament.
Current Teams
The current Vietnam squad includes 13 players from the 2022 match, with notable players like Nguyen Van Toan and Nguyen Van Quyet. India’s squad has 10 players who participated in the 2022 match, including Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Anwar Ali.
Rebuilding Phase
Both teams are in a rebuilding phase under new head coaches after exiting the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Vietnam, ranked 116th, appointed Kim Sang-sik as head coach, while India is led by Manolo Marquez. Both teams have struggled in 2024, with Vietnam losing 10 of their last 11 matches and India yet to win since November 2023.
Upcoming Match
Vietnam’s squad, a mix of senior and young players, has been training since October 5. They will play a practice match against Thep Xanh Nam Dinh FC before facing India. India’s team, led by Manolo Marquez, is also preparing intensively, with training sessions planned every evening to improve fitness and tactics.
Doubts Revealed
Nam Dinh -: Nam Dinh is a city in Vietnam where the upcoming football match between India and Vietnam will take place. It’s known for its rich history and culture.
World Cup qualifiers -: World Cup qualifiers are matches that national football teams play to try and qualify for the FIFA World Cup, which is a big international football tournament.
Kim Sang-sik -: Kim Sang-sik is the coach of the Vietnam national football team. He helps the team train and decide strategies for matches.
Manolo Marquez -: Manolo Marquez is the coach of the Indian national football team. He is responsible for training the players and planning how they play in matches.
Ranked 116th -: Being ranked 116th means that Vietnam is placed at number 116 in the FIFA world rankings, which is a list that ranks national football teams based on their performance.
