The Vietnam futsal team has officially secured a spot in the Asian quarterfinals.

This result came sooner than anticipated, following Thailand's comfortable 6-1 victory over Kuwait in the other match of the second round of the Asian futsal group stage.

Along with a convincing 2-0 win against the Lebanon futsal teamin the second match of Group B, held on the afternoon of January 29, the Vietnam futsal team officially advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2026 Asian futsal championship.

Securing full 6 points after the first two matches not only reflects the effectiveness of coach Diego Giustozzi’s tactics but also demonstrates the resilience and significant progress of Vietnam futsal on the continental stage. Facing Lebanon—a team known for its tight defensive style and tactical gameplay—the Vietnam futsal coaching staff prepared thoroughly. From the opening whistle, the players in red started with high intensity, continuously pressuring the opponent’s half.

This proactive approach quickly paid off. Within 20 seconds, Đinh Công Viên capitalized on a close-range shot opportunity to open the scoring, completely breaking Lebanon’s defensive structure. Minutes later, Vũ Ngọc Ánh scored again to increase the lead to 2-0, giving Vietnam a significant psychological and tactical advantage.

The fact thatBy beating Lebanon, the Vietnam futsal team is well positioned to reach the Asian quarterfinals scoring two early goals forced Lebanon to alter their strategy, abandoning their usual heavily defensive play to push forward and seek a goal to reduce the deficit. This was also when Vietnam controlled the game well, executing fast, one-touch combinations and creating many dangerous spaces. A notable highlight of the match was Vietnam’s defensive organization and team structure. Although they did not score further, coach Giustozzi’s players maintained the necessary solidity, especially in the second half.

The real challenge came when Vietnam had to play with one less player after Dương Ngọc Linh received a red card. During the intense 3-versus-4 period, the red-shirted defense and goalkeeper Phạm Văn Tú held firm, successfully repelling all of Lebanon’s attacking attempts. The ability to cover each other, maintain team spacing, and stay highly focused helped Vietnam protect their goal. Coach Diego Giustozzi expressed his satisfaction, praising the players’ spirit and tactical discipline, especially under heavy pressure.

Despite securing the win and early qualification, the Vietnam futsal team still has areas to improve. Their ability to capitalize on chances, especially in finishing moments, remains below optimal. In a different scenario, missing too many opportunities could cost the team dearly.

In the final Group B match on the afternoon of January 31, Vietnam will face Thailand directly to compete for first place. Both teams currently have 6 points, but Thailand leads on goal difference. A victory would allow Vietnam to finish the group stage in first place, securing a significant advantage in the quarterfinals.