Futsal

Vietnamese players celebrate after scoring goal during their 5-0 win over Nepal in the AFC Futsal Cup 2024 qualification's Group D activities. — Photo of VFF

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam qualified for the AFC Futsal Cup after the second win in the qualification round on October 9 in Mongolia.

Two wins put the Vietnamese side top of Group D and secured their place in the finals with one game in hand.

Châu Đoàn Phát, Dương Ngọc Linh and Nguyễn Minh Trí netted for Việt Nam in the first half before Từ Minh Quang score in early time of the second half. Phát took the second goal in the last second of the match, wrapping up a big win for Việt Nam.

Nepalis tried their best while coach Gaurav Basnet changed his line-up and tactics but none of their efforts paid off.

Earlier, Việt Nam defeated hosts Mongolia 6-1 on October 7.

After two matches, Việt Nam top the group with six points ahead of South Korea on goal difference.

The two sides will play each other on October 11. The result will only decide their final group position as both have qualified for the finals which will be held in Thailand from April 17 to 28, 2024.

Coach Diego Giustozzi Raul of Việt Nam was happy with the result and confirmed his team's target was a place in the FIFA futsal World Cup 2024 Finals.

"As you all know, we expect to play at the World Cup 2024. To make it happen, we have to overcome challenges at the Asian Cup," said Raul.

“We respect all teams here but we would do everything to win matches. We are confident and have well prepared for this tournament." — VNS