Vietnam's HN Thang (L) in a match versus Japan. (Photo : Getty Images)
Southeast Asian teams Vietnam (1-1-1, 4 points) and Thailand (2-0-1, 7 points) will square off in the second round robin of Group F competitions in the AFC 2018 World Cup qualifying tournament at the Mỹ Đình National Stadium in Hanoi on October 13.
The Golden Stars settled for a 1-1 draw against Iraq on Thursday also at the stadium in Hanoi as forward Lê Công Vinh opened the scoring at the 25th minute of their match, as per FIFA's official website.
Iraqi striker Younis Mahmoud was able to find the back of the net with a penalty kick in injury time to salvage the tie for the Lions of Mesopotamia and keep second place in Group F with 5 points.
Meanwhile, the War Elephants also forced a draw against Iraq in their game on September 8, 2-2, at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, via Soccerway.
Left back Theerathon Bunmathan and winger Mongkol Tossakrai provided the goals for Kiatisuk Senamuang's side late at the 80th and 83rd minutes to save the point in the overall tally.
Mahmoud and Justin Meram put Iraq on top, 2-0, in the first half to give the group leaders a scare.
Thailand came away with a 1-0 victory against Vietnam during their first encounter at the Rajamangala last May 24, but Vietnam is set to turn the tables around as they play at their home stadium on Tuesday.
The prediction is a tough 1-0 win for Vietnam.
Vietnam starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Nguyên Mạnh; Tiến Thành, Ngô, Nguyễn Thanh Hiền, Tiến Thành; Phạm, Nguyễn Huy Hùng, Nguyễn Trọng Hoàng, Mạnh; Lê Công, Nguyễn Văn Quyết
Thailand starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Thamsatchanan; Bunmathan, Phuk-hom, Namwiset, Do; Thaweekarn, Yooyen; Dechmitr, Tossakrai, Anan; Dangda
