Nepal Coach: 'Vietnam Could Win 6-1'

Following the 1-3 defeat against Vietnam in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifying round, Nepal’s head coach Matt Ross expressed multiple perspectives: covering strategy, player spirit, and the precision in his coaching approach.

On the evening of October 9, Nepal’s national team suffered a 1-3 defeat to Vietnam in the third match of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. Although fans felt disappointed, head coach Matt Ross offered encouragement to his players and openly pointed out areas needing improvement.

Commenting on his team’s performance, coach Matt Ross believed Nepal’s players performed well in previous matches but lacked experience during crucial moments. He stated: “We were naive in certain situations, like the red card incident or being too eager to dribble. Tactically, I am satisfied, but we must learn deeply from these mistakes, especially in set-piece scenarios. I believe when we have a full squad, Nepal can compete evenly. The young players need more experience to mature.”.

When asked about the second half, the Australian coach frankly admitted the gap: “We defended well, but realistically, Vietnam could have won 6-1. The important thing is that the players tried to hold them back. Playing with 10 men for 50 minutes is tough to manage, and focusing on defense was the most viable option.”.

Despite the loss, coach Matt Ross still showed respect for the opponent: “Congratulations to the Vietnam team for a convincing victory. The turning point was the red card. I’m proud that the players managed to equalize 1-1 under difficult circumstances, showing great resilience. Vietnam has a well-balanced squad, from goalkeeper to forwards, so the win was inevitable.”.

Beyond the technical aspects, coach Matt Ross also impressed with his neat appearance and demeanor. When asked about why he and his staff always appear in formal attire, he explained: “Yes, it’s quite hot wearing these clothes. But we represent a nation and need to show respect to everyone in this way.”.

Moreover, throughout the match, coach Matt Ross frequently took notes in a notebook. He explained: “I want to see details, not just rely on video footage, so that I can analyze properly. Those notes are part of our research, sometimes just reminders or simple memos.”.

Meanwhile, Vietnam continues to demonstrate strength with fast, skillful, and effective play, earning 6 points from 3 matches and closely trailing Malaysia in the group race. For Nepal, this defeat is regrettable but a valuable experience. According to coach Ross, the team will quickly prepare for the next match just 4 days later.