Football review Iraq vs Vietnam: Honor match

After two rounds, the Iraqi team won all, certainly advancing to the top of the group, while the Vietnamese team lost all, being eliminated with the last position. Therefore, the match between the two teams at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium has a procedural meaning.

However, the Vietnamese team still has motivation in their final appearance at the 2023 Asian Cup. In addition to the mental significance, coach Philippe Troussier and his team also need more difficult matches to adjust and improve their skills before returning in March for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Iraq vs Vietnam Prediction

Coach Troussier and his team started the 2023 Asian Cup with a 2-4 loss to Japan. The players' performance received much praise from both domestic and international public opinion. However, the loss to Indonesia caused great disappointment and destroyed the Vietnamese team's hopes of advancing.

The Vietnam team needs a good result before saying goodbye to the 2023 Asian Cup.

Besides, the Indonesian team has always been considered the "underdog" to the Vietnamese team for the past 8 years, so this defeat is difficult for Vietnamese fans to accept.

There is no denying that the Vietnamese team has made positive changes in their playing style. The players play confidently and are ready to play the ball from their own half. However, the team has a big problem of playing in a deadlocked manner and lacking proactive approaches to the opponent's goal.

The two goals against Japan came from two set pieces - a method that coach Troussier has never prioritized in his philosophy. In the match against Indonesia, the Vietnamese team barely created any favorable opportunities.

The French coach really needs a good result to reduce pressure, and also to prepare for two decisive matches for the chance to continue in the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup with Indonesia in March.

On the other side, coach Jesus Casas will likely keep more than half of the team on the bench. This is a reasonable move in the context that they have secured a place in the next round and need to preserve their strength for the knockout round.

However, the Iraqi team does not take the confrontation with Vietnam lightly. Mr. Casas wants the players to play their best and maintain their performance from the beginning of the tournament.

Iraq vs Vietnam form

The Iraqi team is in good form. In the last 6 matches, the West Asian team won 5 matches. They only lost 1 match with a score of 0-1 against South Korea. That was a friendly match to prepare for the 2023 Asian Cup.

On the contrary, the Vietnamese team has suffered 7 defeats in the last 8 matches. Coach Troussier and his team have only won 1 match against the Philippines. This series of achievements has contributed to gradually pushing the Vietnamese team out of the world's top 100. If they lose to Iraq, this possibility will be very high.

Expected lineup Iraq vs Vietnam

Iraq: Fahad Talib, Rebin Sulaka, Ali Adnan, Allan Mohideen, Zidane Iqbal, Ahmad Allee, Montader Madjed, Bashar Resan, Merchas Doski, Ali Jasim, Mohanad Ali.

Vietnam: Nguyen Filip, Van Thanh, Viet Anh, Duy Manh, Tuan Tai, Minh Trong, Tuan Anh, Thai Son, Dinh Bac, Quang Hai, Van Toan.

Prediction: Iraq 1-1 Vietnam

Van Hai

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