Scenario for Vietnam team to pass the second qualifying round of World Cup 2026

(Dan Tri) - If they defeat Indonesia at My Dinh Stadium at 7:00 p.m. on March 26, the Vietnamese team will have a good chance of advancing to Group F of the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia.

The Vietnamese team suffered a bitter 0-1 defeat to Indonesia at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (Jakarta, Indonesia) on the evening of March 21. This defeat caused Coach Troussier's team to drop to third place in Group F of the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia. Specifically, after Iraq beat the Philippines 1-0, the West Asian representative led Group F with 9 absolute points after 3 matches. Indonesia ranked second with 4 points, the Vietnamese team ranked third with 3 points and the Philippines ranked last in Group F with 1 point.

The Vietnamese team has not lost hope after losing to Indonesia on March 21 (Photo: Lam Anh).

According to FIFA regulations, the top two teams in the second qualifying round will qualify for the third qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup. With their current form, Iraq (9 points) is almost certain to secure a spot and if they beat the Philippines away on March 26, they will complete their goal early. With their current strength, the Philippines (1 point) has almost no chance of competing with the remaining opponents. The second place and the next spot in Group F is a competition between Indonesia (4 points) and the Vietnamese team (3 points). After losing in Jakarta, if the Vietnamese team defeats Indonesia at My Dinh on March 26, the situation will be reversed. At that time, Coach Troussier's team will rise to second place with 6 points/4 matches, while Indonesia will be third with 4 points/4 matches. At that time, in the 5th match in June, if the Vietnamese team wins the Philippines at My Dinh and Indonesia loses to Iraq away (two high possibilities), coach Troussier and his team will officially be present in the third qualifying round, without having to wait for the result of the final match against Iraq.

Coach Troussier and his team will open the door to continue if they beat Indonesia at My Dinh (Photo: Lam Anh).

Another advantage is that the Vietnamese team will meet Iraq away in the final round of Group F. At that time, the West Asian representative is likely to have a ticket to the next round and is unlikely to use all its strength to confront the Vietnamese team. However, if they draw with Indonesia at My Dinh on March 26, the Vietnamese team will still only be in third place with 4 points, while Indonesia will be in second place with 5 points. That is the reason why coach Shin Tae Yong's team is aiming for a draw on March 26. If they lose to Indonesia at My Dinh, the Vietnamese team will almost have no hope of competing for the second place in the group with Indonesia when they are 4 points behind their opponents before the last 2 matches in June. If that scenario happens, it will be the end for coach Troussier and his team in their goal of entering the third qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup. It can be said that although they lost to Indonesia in Jakarta, if they beat their opponents in the rematch at My Dinh, the opportunity to pass the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup for the Vietnamese team is still open. The important thing is whether coach Philippe Troussier can learn the lessons and whether the players can overcome the psychological pressure to achieve the best results on March 26.

Dantri.com.vn

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