Football

Defender Bùi Hoàng Việt Anh (left) in action on November 7 in Hà Nội. Việt Nam team are preparing for the 2026 World Cup first qualification campaign. — Photos of VFF

HÀ NỘI — Defender Bùi Hoàng Việt Anh revealed Việt Nam's target of earning three points in their visit to Philippines next week during the first qualification of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian zone.

Coach Troussier and his players are in intensive training camp in preparation for the November 16 match of Group F at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.

“We have practised smoothly together for long time and played quality teams in preparation for the World Cup qualification," said Việt Anh.

"There were troubles in these matches and we have learnt a lot from strong rivals. In general, I believe that we have had good preparation for this qualifier."

Việt Nam will have to play against not only the hosts but also the artificial grass which the Filipino favourite but Việt Nam's unfamiliar surface.

"We have to adapt with all conditions," said Việt Anh who has been working several days on the artificial grass.

"We are confident to have three points from the Philippines. A win will be a motivation for us before we host strong Iraq days later."

Defender Bùi Tiến Dũng is back in the national team for the World Cup tournament.

On November 6, Troussier called veteran Bùi Tiến Dũng back to the team after defender Đỗ Duy Mạnh unexpectedly suffered a leg injury from a motorbike accident.

Captain Dũng just scored a winner in Viettel FC's 1-0 win over Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh in the V.League 1 on Sunday.

Dũng was one of key members of Park Hang-seo's team during his five-year reign. But he could not find a regular place in Troussier's side in recent events. He was even not called to the national team at the FIFA Days in October.

Troussiers will bring 28 players to Manila on November 13. They will have three days trainning before the match.

They will next play Iraq on November 21 at Mỹ Đình.

Supporters can buy tickets, ranging from VNĐ200,000-600,000 (US$8.2-24.6), on app VinID until November 11 or until tickets run out, whichever comes first. — VNS