After the first two matchdays of Group D, Vietnam are level with the Czech Republic on three points, but Pham Minh Giang’s side stand third in the group due to their poorer goal difference (-7 compared to 0).
Five-time champions Brazil have sealed the first of the group’s two direct tickets for the last 16 following their consecutive wins against Vietnam and the Czech Republic. Meanwhile, Panama have almost been eliminated with zero points.
According to the format, the top two teams in each group and the four best third-placed teams will be eligible for the knockout phase. In the provisional ranking of third-placed teams, Vietnam are in the group of those advancing, sitting third behind Paraguay and Egypt and above Thailand.
The ranking of third-placed teams.
The door to the last 16 is still wide open for Giang’s troops, but the possibility of crashing out also remains.
What are the possible scenarios after the Vietnam-Czech Republic clash?
In the case of a win for Vietnam, they would have a total of six points and officially advance as one of Group D’s top two teams without minding the results of other matches.
In the case of a draw, Vietnam will be ranked third in the group on goal difference, but would progress to the knockout stage as one of the four best third-placed teams.
In case of a defeat, Vietnam will have to wait for the results of other matches to see if they are through or not. The best scenario would be if the matches Lithuania vs Costa Rica (Group A) and Serbia vs US (Group F) both end up in a draw, which would send Vietnam through to the knockout stage as one of the four best third-placed teams, because none of those four teams have won a single point thus far.
Vietnam will play the Czech Republic in their last Group D match on the night of September 19. The game will be officiated by female Argentinian referee Maria Estefania Pinto, assisted by Vlaria Palma (Chile), Castro Zumbado Ronny (Croatia), and Henry Gutierrez (Bolivia).
Portugal are one of the first eight teams to qualify for the 2021 Futsal World Cup’s last 16. (Photo: FIFA)
Thus far, eight teams have already booked their places in the round of 16, including Russia (Group B), Portugal, Morocco (Group C), Brazil (Group D), Spain (Group E), Argentina and Iran (Group G).
