Vietnam vs India, Rivals Watch: All You Need to Know About Golden Star Warriors

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India and Vietnam will renew their football rivalry in an international friendly on October 12, marking India's first away match under coach Manolo Marquez. Despite Vietnam's poor form, they remain a formidable opponent

With a strong squad and historical dominance over India in recent encounters, the two teams will face each other at the Thien Truong Stadium in Nam Dinh. Both teams are eager to gain momentum ahead of upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Recent Form

Vietnam, currently ranked 116th in the FIFA rankings, have had a rough 2024, losing 10 of their last 11 matches. Under new coach Kim Sang-sik, who joined in June, the Golden Star Warriors have struggled to find form.

Their only win came against the Philippines, while their defeats include a 0-3 loss to Russia and a 1-2 loss to Thailand in the LPBank Cup in September. Despite their poor form, Vietnam remains a tricky opponent for India.

India, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back after their September international break. This upcoming match marks India's first away game under new coach Manolo Marquez, and the Blue Tigers will be keen to test themselves against a higher-ranked opponent in a challenging away setting.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Filip Nguyen, Nguyen Van Viet, Tran Trung Kien, Dang Van Lam
Defenders: Que Ngoc Hai, Bui Hoang Viet Anh, Thanh Chung Nguyen, Nguyen Phong Hong Duy, Vu Van Thanh, Pham Xuan Manh, Nguyen Thanh Binh, Giap Tuan Duong
Midfielders: Le Pham Thanh Long, Quang Hai Nguyen, To Van Vu, Nguyen Thai Son, Nguyen Hoang Duc, Chau Ngoc Quang, Khuat Van Khang, Do Hung Dung, Nguyen Van Truong
Forwards: Nguyen Tien Linh, Nguyen Van Quyet, Nguyen Quoc Viet, Van Toan Nguyen, Nguyen Dinh Bac, Bui Vi Hao

Coach: Sang-Sik Kim

Players to Watch Out For

Nguyen Tien Linh will be Vietnam's main attacking threat, having scored 21 goals in 48 appearances for his country. He is aiming to become their all-time top scorer and will be a key figure in the final third.

Another player to keep an eye on is the young and dynamic Bui Vi Hao, who recently impressed with a brace in a domestic friendly, showcasing his ability to change games with his explosive play.

Captain Que Ngoc Hai, a stalwart at the back, will be tasked with keeping the Indian attack in check. With 78 international appearances, Hải is closing in on a national record for the most caps.

Head-to-Head Record

Historically, India and Vietnam have faced each other three times, with Vietnam leading the head-to-head record with two wins to India's one. Their most recent encounter was in September 2022, when Vietnam secured a dominant 3-0 win.