Vietnam's head coach Park Hang Seo set a target of testing new players’ capabilities and trying different tactics in their friendly with Afghanistan at Thong Nhat Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday night.

The match will be shown live at 7:00 pm on ON FOOTBALL and NEXT Sports platforms.

“Thanks to playing in the final round of World Cup qualifiers, Vietnam didn’t have to play the 2023 Asian Cup qualification and got a direct spot in the tournament,” Park told a press conference on Tuesday.

“Therefore, I want to use this friendly to test new tactics and have called up several new players that are suitable for this game.”

The Vietnamese national team started training a week ago with 23 players. 

The friendly is on FIFA's international calendar so the result will affect the world rankings of both teams.

Park has called up most of the players in the squad for the World Cup qualifiers, including superstar midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai, who is currently a free agent after parting ways with Hanoi FC in April.

Assisting Park in this game will be veteran striker Nguyen Anh Duc.

“This is only an exhibition so I want to create an opportunity for Anh Duc,” Park said. 

“He’s studying to get a pro license in coaching. 

“He will be useful in the new role on the national team since he is an experienced player and can improve team communication."

For his part, Afghanistan's coach Anoush Dastgir said his team were delighted to play Vietnam in preparation for the 2023 Asian Cup qualifiers. 

He affirmed that the Vietnamese are stronger compared to the last encounter with Afghanistan in 2017.

“The game will be really interesting,” Dastgir said. 

“For me, this is not just a friendly. 

“We will try our best to win it.”

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