Win to keep hope alive.

VHO - At 7 PM tonight, November 19th, at the Lao National Stadium in Vientiane, the Vietnamese national team will face the host team Laos again in the fifth match of Group F of the final qualifying round for the 2027 Asian Cup. A victory away from home is a mandatory task for the "Golden Star Warriors" to continue to harbor hopes of participating in the finals of the continent's top tournament.

The Vietnamese national team will strive to secure all three points on Laos' home ground. Photo: VFF

After four matches in Group F, the Vietnamese team is ranked second with 9 points, 3 points behind leader Malaysia. In the fifth match, Malaysia is likely to secure 3 points against bottom-placed Nepal, so the goal for coach Kim Sang-sik's team is to win against Laos to maintain their position in the race, before playing the decisive match against their opponent at home in March next year.

After their 0-4 defeat against Malaysia in the second match, the Vietnamese team had to put themselves in a position where they could not afford any slip-ups in the remaining games. The gap with Malaysia was only one win, but that was enough to create immense pressure on the players; any mistake or complacency could cost them their place in the continental tournament.

In fact, the Vietnamese national team has faced many "must-win" matches, and it is in such moments that the team's character is most clearly tested. Against the Laotian team, the goal of securing 3 points is not too difficult, but it is not simple either at this time, especially when playing away from home.

In the first leg, the Vietnamese team played dominantly but still showed a lack of sharpness in finishing. If they had capitalized better, the number of goals scored would not have stopped at 5. This was also repeated in the two recent matches against Nepal. This is a weakness that the coaching staff needs to thoroughly address.

With the attacking line not yet at its peak, the return of striker Nguyen Xuan Son, along with the outstanding performances of the young players, will be highly anticipated. This is not just a match to win, but also an opportunity for the attack to regain its form and create the necessary momentum for the remainder of the season.

Statistics from 1996 to the present show that the Vietnamese national team has never lost when facing Laos in official or friendly matches. After 15 encounters, the "Golden Star Warriors" have won 14 times, only drawing once with the "Land of a Million Elephants" in the 1996 AFF Cup. Furthermore, from 2008 to the present, the Vietnamese team has won all 8 matches, while the Laotian team has only scored 2 goals against Vietnam.

Although not highly rated, the Laotian team usually plays very disciplined and is a difficult opponent for Vietnam. They will almost certainly adopt a defensive approach, focusing on mass defense. This requires the Vietnamese team to maintain speed, flexibility in ball distribution, and the ability to quickly switch between attacking and defensive phases. Set pieces or moments of individual brilliance could very well become the key to unlocking the game.

Besides technical skill, psychology is also a crucial factor. The pressure to win can sometimes create an invisible burden, causing players to become tense and make incoherent decisions. Therefore, maintaining a calm, patient mindset and adhering to the tactics is essential. Coach Kim Sang-sik's players cannot afford to let the match fall into a prolonged stalemate, as this would inadvertently boost the opponent's confidence.

The match against Laos is a pivotal moment for the Vietnamese national team's journey in the final round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. A victory would maintain hope of competing with Malaysia. However, failure to secure three points would eliminate Vietnam from the race. Proactiveness, speed, and effectiveness in every play will determine the final outcome.

Fans are anticipating a strong, consistent, and emotionally charged performance—the kind of football the team has often displayed even in the most challenging times. Therefore, the match against Laos is not just a battle for points, but also an opportunity for the Vietnamese team to assert its position, self-respect, and desire for a strong comeback.

With determination, thorough preparation, and an unyielding spirit, the Vietnamese team can absolutely turn challenges into opportunities. A convincing victory against Laos would affirm that the team is still on the right track, ready to compete on equal footing with Malaysia and continue to harbor hopes of participating in the 2027 Asian Cup finals. This is the time for character to shine, and the "Golden Star Warriors" understand that they have no other choice but to win.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/thang-de-nuoi-hy-vong-182407.html