Vietnam's futsal team to reconvene for AFF Championship 2019

ABO/NDO – The Vietnamese futsal squad will reconvene on September 29 in preparation for the upcoming 2019 AFF Championship, which promises to see an extremely fierce race between participants as the top three finishers are eligible for next year’s AFC Championship in Turkmenistan.

Head coach Miguel Rodrigo and his Vietnamese players are eyeing a top-three finish at the 2019 AFF Futsal Championship to earn a place in next year's AFC Championship.

In service of the regional campaign, head coach Miguel Rodrigo has called up 20 of the best in-form players for the training camp, including 12 from reigning national champions Thai Son Nam.

Many of the players called upon have become familiar to fans and already affirmed their talent in the lineup of Vietnam’s national team, such as keeper Ho Van Y, Tran Van Vu, Pham Duc Hoa, Ton That Phi and Nguyen Minh Tri.

As planned, Rodrigo’s troops will undergo a camp at Thai Son Nam Gymnasium in District 8, Ho Chi Minh City before leaving for an overseas training course in Thailand on October 7. During their foreign trip, the Vietnamese team will play two friendly matches against reigning Thai champions Thai Port FC (October 8) and defending Thai runners-up Chonburi FC (October 12).

On October 13, Rodrigo and his players will return home to make last-minute preparations before beginning their campaign at the 2019 AFF Championship, hosted in HCM City from October 21 to 27.

The week-long tournament also serves as a qualification event for the 2020 AFC Championship, with the three best teams qualifying as the AFF representatives.

Vietnam have been drawn in Group B, together with Australia, Malaysia and Indonesia. Group A is made up of reigning champions Thailand, Myanmar, Timor Leste and Cambodia.

The first challenge for Rodrigo’s side will be Australia on October 21, then come Indonesia on October 22 and Malaysia the following day.

(Source: NDO)