Australia will face Vietnam in the World Cup 2022 Qualifiers. They welcome Vietnam at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium for Thursday’s AFC third-round tie.
Form and Current Position
The Australian side currently occupy third spot in the section which will lead them to a stunning place in the fourth round, while the visitors enter the contest without a single point to their name.
Australia have dropped from their form compared to the quality they showed at the beginning of their World Cup qualifying campaign. After being victorious in their first three games, the Kangaroos have failed to win any of their next three outings, with the most recent being a 1-1 draw against China.
However, Australia will be expected to dominate, as they come into the game with greater confidence than Vietnam. A win here will give them a sleek top-two finish.
Vietnam’s World Cup 2022 Qualifying third-round period could not have been worse for the world’s 98th-ranked nation, who are without a single point let alone a win from their opening six games in Group B. A defeat will definitely shatter their hopes of qualifying, if it hasn’t already.
They have lost all six of their qualifying clashes so far, losing 1-0 to Saudi Arabia in their most recent outing.
Nevertheless, Vietnam are still in contention with the slightest of chances of finishing a third place and keeping their World Cup hopes alive via the playoff route, but even the most ardent supporter would accept that such an eventuality is nothing more than a mere impossibility at this point.
Australia’s past 6 games: Draw-Draw-Lost-Won-Won
Vietnam’s past 6 games: Lost-Lost-Lost-Lost-Lost
Head To Head
There has been just one meeting between Australia and Vietnam. The two nations faced off in the reverse fixture of Thursday’s meeting, with Australia winning 1-0.
Possible line-ups
Australia possible starting lineup:(4-3-3)
Ryan, Boyle, Grant, Degenek, Sainsbury, Rogic, King, Irvine, Mooy, Leckie, Duke
Vietnam possible starting lineup:(5-4-1)
Tran, Bui, Thanh Binh, Phong Hong, Ho, Quang Hai, Hoang Duc, Van Thanh, Phan, Cong Phuong, Minh Vuong
What Time Will The Match Be Played?
The match will be played at 8:10 AEDT on Thursday, 27th January, 2022.
Where to Watch?
The match will be streamed live on Paramount+, beIN Sports, DAZN, Channel 10, Channel 10 Bold and Sky Sport 7.
Prediction
Even though Australia haven’t won their last three games, they haven’t been lost any either. It would be immensely difficult for Vietnam to upset the home side.
Our Prediction: Australia 3-0 Vietnam