A preview of the Iraq vs Vietnam match in the AFC Asian Cup, looking at their recent

The Afc Asian Cup is the biggest football tournament in Asia, featuring 24 teams competing for the continental crown. The 2024 edition is hosted by China, and the group stage is underway with some exciting matches and surprising results.

One of the most anticipated games in Group B is Iraq vs Vietnam, which will take place on January 24th at the Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium. Both teams have a chance to qualify for the knockout stage, but they need to win this crucial clash to boost their hopes.

Iraq and Vietnam have met four times before in the AFC Asian Cup, with Iraq winning three times and Vietnam once. The last encounter was in 2019, when Iraq edged Vietnam 3-2 in a thrilling match. Will history repeat itself, or will Vietnam get their revenge?

In this blog post, we will preview the Iraq vs Vietnam match, looking at their recent form, key players, strengths, weaknesses, and predictions.

Recent Form

Iraq started their AFC Asian Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Oman, thanks to goals from Mohanad Ali and Bashar Resan. However, they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Japan in their second match, conceding a late goal from Takumi Minamino. Iraq are currently second in Group B with three points, behind Japan on goal difference.

Vietnam also began their tournament with a victory, beating Indonesia 3-1 with goals from Nguyen Cong Phuong, Nguyen Tien Linh, and Nguyen Quang Hai. However, they lost their second match 2-1 to Qatar, despite taking the lead through Nguyen Van Toan. Vietnam are third in Group B with three points, behind Iraq on goal difference.

Both teams need to win their final match to secure their place in the round of 16, or hope that the other results go their way. A draw could also be enough for either team, depending on the outcome of the Japan vs Qatar match.

Key Players

Iraq have a talented and experienced squad, with several players who have played in Europe and the Middle East. Their star player is Mohanad Ali, a 22-year-old striker who plays for Al-Duhail in Qatar. He scored 11 goals in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, and has already netted once in the AFC Asian Cup. He is fast, skillful, and clinical in front of goal, and will pose a big threat to the Vietnamese defense.

Another key player for Iraq is Bashar Resan, a 24-year-old midfielder who plays for Persepolis in Iran. He is the captain and playmaker of the team, and has scored two goals in the AFC Asian Cup so far. He is creative, versatile, and has a powerful shot from distance. He will be the main source of supply for Mohanad Ali and the other attackers.

Vietnam also have some talented and young players, who have impressed with their energy and teamwork. Their star player is Nguyen Quang Hai, a 25-year-old midfielder who plays for Hanoi FC in Vietnam. He is the top scorer and assist provider for Vietnam in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, and has scored once in the AFC Asian Cup. He is agile, technical, and has a knack for scoring spectacular goals. He will be the main creative force for Vietnam and the focal point of their attacks.

Another key player for Vietnam is Nguyen Cong Phuong, a 27-year-old striker who plays for Ho Chi Minh City FC in Vietnam. He is the second top scorer for Vietnam in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, and has scored once in the AFC Asian Cup. He is quick, clever, and has a good finishing ability. He will be the main partner for Nguyen Quang Hai and the other forwards.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Iraq have a strong and balanced team, with a solid defense, a dynamic midfield, and a potent attack. They have a lot of experience and quality, and can play with different styles and formations. They are also good at set-pieces, both offensively and defensively.

However, Iraq also have some weaknesses, such as their lack of consistency and discipline. They can sometimes lose their focus and concentration, and concede unnecessary goals. They can also be prone to errors and mistakes, especially under pressure. They also tend to rely too much on Mohanad Ali and Bashar Resan, and lack depth and options on the bench.

Vietnam have a fast and energetic team, with a high pressing and counter-attacking style. They have a lot of cohesion and spirit, and can surprise their opponents with their pace and movement. They are also good at exploiting the spaces and creating chances, especially from the wings and crosses.

However, Vietnam also have some weaknesses, such as their lack of physicality and experience. They can sometimes struggle against stronger and taller opponents, and lose aerial duels and tackles. They can also be vulnerable to long balls and through balls, especially behind their high defensive line. They also tend to waste their opportunities and lack composure in front of goal.

Predictions

Iraq vs Vietnam is a tough match to predict, as both teams have their strengths and weaknesses, and have shown different performances in their previous matches. However, based on their head-to-head record and current form, we think that Iraq have a slight edge over Vietnam, and will win the match by a narrow margin.

Our prediction is Iraq 2-1 Vietnam, with Mohanad Ali and Bashar Resan scoring for Iraq, and Nguyen Quang Hai scoring for Vietnam.

What do you think of our prediction? Do you agree or disagree? Let us know in the comments below, and don’t forget to follow our blog for more AFC Asian Cup news and updates.

Conclusion

Iraq vs Vietnam is a crucial clash in the AFC Asian Cup, as both teams have a chance to qualify for the knockout stage, but need to win this match to boost their hopes. Iraq have a strong and experienced team, with Mohanad Ali and Bashar Resan as their key players. Vietnam have a fast and energetic team, with Nguyen Quang Hai and Nguyen Cong Phuong as their key players. Both teams have their strengths and weaknesses, and have shown different performances in their previous matches. However, we think that Iraq have a slight edge over Vietnam, and will win the match by a narrow margin.

The post Iraq vs Vietnam: A Crucial Clash in the AFC Asian Cup first appeared on Vastu Krupa Estate.