High hopes are pinned on striker Cong Vinh who scored seven times over two legs against Macau in the first qualifiers. Most recently, he also scored three goals at the national championships.

Last week, the team’s head coach Falko Goetz traveled to Switzerland to observe the friendly match between Qatar and Neuchatel Club.

The German coach said that Qatar are Vietnam’s strongest rival yet, but still appeared optimistic about the upcoming match.

Currently, Vietnam ranks 140^th in FIFA ratings, 46 places below Qatar (94^th). In Asia, Qatar are ranked 9^th while Vietnam stand at 21^st.

Vietnam drew 1-1 with Qatar in the final round of the 2007 Asian Cup.