Vietnam vs Iraq Prediction
After two rounds, the Iraqi team won all, certainly advancing to the top of the group, while the Vietnamese team lost all, being eliminated with the last position. Therefore, the match between the two teams at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium has a procedural meaning.
However, the Vietnamese team still has motivation in their final appearance at the 2023 Asian Cup. In addition to the mental significance, coach Philippe Troussier and his team also need more difficult matches to adjust and improve their skills before returning in March for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Nguyen Filip is the hope of the Vietnamese team.
Coach Troussier and his team started the 2023 Asian Cup with a 2-4 loss to Japan. The players' performance received much praise from both domestic and international public opinion. However, the loss to Indonesia caused great disappointment and destroyed the Vietnamese team's hopes of advancing.
Besides, the Indonesian team has always been considered the "underdog" to the Vietnamese team for the past 8 years, so this defeat is difficult for Vietnamese fans to accept.
There is no denying that the Vietnamese team has made positive changes in their playing style. The players play confidently and are ready to play the ball from their own half. However, the team has a big problem of playing in a deadlocked manner and lacking proactive approaches to the opponent's goal.
The two goals against Japan came from two set pieces - a method that coach Troussier has never prioritized in his philosophy. In the match against Indonesia, the Vietnamese team barely created any favorable opportunities.
The French coach really needs a good result to reduce pressure, and also to prepare for two decisive matches for the chance to continue in the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup with Indonesia in March.
Coach Jesus Casas will likely keep more than half of the team on the bench. This is a reasonable move in the context that they have secured a place in the next round and need to preserve their strength for the knockout round.
However, the Iraqi team does not take the confrontation with Vietnam lightly. Mr. Casas wants the players to play their best and maintain their performance from the beginning of the tournament.
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