Vietnam national team has a significant advantage in the rematch against Nepal

Vietnam’s opponent suffers a major setback as one player must sit out due to a red card.

On the evening of October 9th, Vietnam secured a 3-1 victory over Nepal in the third round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. The home team dominated with 75% ball possession, 24 shots, and 11 corners. The scorers for the red-shirted team were Tiến Linh, Xuân Mạnh, and Văn Vĩ.

On October 14th, Coach Kim Sang Sik’s squad will face Nepal again at Thống Nhất Stadium. Besides playing at home once more, Vietnam gains an additional advantage as one opposing player is suspended and will miss this match. That player is midfielder Limbu. Specifically, after a foul on Hai Long near the end of the first half, the 2002-born player received a direct red card from the referee. This will be a significant loss for Coach Matt Ross’s team since Limbu is one of the key players who started the match.

Returning to this match, despite the 3-1 win, Vietnam still exposed several issues, especially in finishing. Statistics show the team took 24 shots (12 times more than Nepal) but only 10 were on target and resulted in 3 goals. In critical one-on-one situations, the forwards have yet to show their best effectiveness. Additionally, the defense has not fully reassured Coach Kim Sang Sik, particularly regarding the goal conceded in the first half.

In the post-match press conference, Nepal’s head coach stated they will learn from the experience and be even more determined in the second leg: "Tactically, I am satisfied, but we must deeply reflect, especially on set-piece situations. I believe that when we have a full squad, Nepal can compete on equal terms. Young players need more experience to mature.”

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