Qatar and Iraq are firmly in the lead but are still determined to beat Vietnam in the final match of Group D of the 2023 Asian Cup.
Iraq has six points, three more than Japan and Indonesia, and their head-to-head record means they are certain to be top of the group. Meanwhile, Vietnam has not scored any points and is certain to be eliminated.
Iraq's 2-1 win over Japan earned them much praise, but coach Jesus Casas urged his players to continue their determination to defeat Vietnam. The Spaniard's statement was explained by the Iraqi Football Federation as the result of the match still affects the FIFA ranking. Iraq wants to improve its current position to gain an advantage in the next round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Vietnam (red shirt) lost to Iraq (white shirt) 0-1 at My Dinh Stadium in November 2023, in the second match of the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup. Photo: Hieu Luong
Iraq are currently ranked 63rd in the FIFA rankings, and are expected to move up two places after beating Indonesia and Japan, earning them 32.1 points. However, that result could be jeopardized if they lose to Vietnam, who are ranked 94th, and lose 23.68 points. A draw would also see Iraq lose 6.18 points.
Defender Ali Adnan said he was calm after defeating Japan. The recent victory does not mean Iraq will win the Asian Cup, but requires double or even greater effort. "We are still on the journey and only thinking about Vietnam," Adnan told Winwin. "The team is focused on playing with the opponent in front of us, not looking further."
Iraq is no stranger to Vietnam, having just won 1-0 at My Dinh Stadium in November 2023, in the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Before that, the team won three and drew one of four times against Vietnam. At the Asian Cup, the two teams met twice and Iraq won both times, 2-0 in the quarter-finals in 2007 and 3-2 in the group stage in 2019.
Iraq has a better mental advantage, while coach Philippe Troussier and his team have been criticized after losing to Indonesia. The match between the two teams will take place at 6:30 p.m. in Hanoi on January 24 at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium.
Hieu Luong
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