Vietnam's national team receives bad news just before the 'big battle' with Thailand

The Vietnam futsal team is confronted with the possibility of major squad setbacks in the decisive showdown with Thailand's futsal squad.

Vietnam futsal national team will enter the final Group B match of the AFC Futsal Championship against Thailand on the afternoon of January 31 with considerable concerns about their lineup. Specifically, Duong Ngoc Linh will definitely be absent due to suspension, while pivot Nguyen Thinh Phat is dealing with health issues and his participation remains uncertain.

This is regarded as a significant blow for coach Diego Giustozzi's squad, since both Ngoc Linh and Thinh Phat are key pillars in Vietnam's futsal tactics. Ngoc Linh plays a crucial role in organizing and controlling the game's tempo, while Thinh Phat is the main striker, consistently applying heavy pressure on the opponent’s defense. Missing one or even both of these players will undoubtedly weaken the team’s strength, especially when facing Thailand — a fierce regional rival with a long-standing futsal rivalry with Vietnam.

Nevertheless, regarding the group standings, the 'big battle' on January 31 remains important but no longer carries intense pressure about the result. Both Vietnam and Thailand have already secured their spots in the quarterfinals after two consecutive wins in the opening matches. The upcoming clash mainly serves to decide the group winner and offers both teams a chance to test their squads and refine tactics ahead of the knockout stage.

In this context, despite personnel difficulties, the Vietnam futsal team is still expected to show resilience, competitive spirit, and maximum determination when facing Thailand. Before the match, Coach Diego Giustozzi affirmed:

“I have confidence in the players. We have achieved the goal of advancing past the group stage, so the pressure has been lifted. Now, the whole team will approach the match with a more relaxed mindset, enjoy the game, and aim to win to top the group."