Vietnam will compete Thailand, Timor Leste and Cambodia in Group A of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Futsal Championship 2019, scheduled for October 21-27 in Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam will compete Thailand, Timor Leste and Cambodia in Group A of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Futsal Championship 2019. (Photo: vff.org.vn)

Group B consists of Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia and Australia.

Vietnam and Thailand are expected to reach the semi-finals as Timor Leste and Cambodia have not historically fielded strong squads.

In Group B, Australia are likely to top the group. To avoid Australia in the semi-finals, Vietnam needs to top Group A.

The AFF has also organised the AFF U18 Futsal Championship 2019 for the first time to allow young players to hone their skills and gain experience in preparation for the AFC U19 Futsal Championship 2020.

Twelve teams will participate in the regional U18 event that will take place in Vietnam next year from August 5-18. Vietnam were drawn into a group with Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore and Australia. Indonesia, Myanmar, Timor Leste, the Philippines, Laos and Brunei will make up the other group. 

At the AFC Futsal Club Championship 2018 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, last August, Vietnam’s Thai Son Nam lost 2-4 to Mes Sungun Varzaghan of Iran at the final match to become the runner-up. - VNA