Vietnam Futsal Team Draws with Russia in Opening Match at Thailand 2026

Vietnam's futsal side kicked off the 2026 Intercontinental Championship – Thailand with a promising performance, earning a 2-2 draw against Russia following a thrilling 40-minute contest at Nonthaburi Indoor Stadium.

Facing a stronger opponent, Coach Diego Raul Giustozzi's team entered the match with great confidence and competed evenly in the opening minutes. However, Russia made better use of their chances, with Andrey Pavlov opening the scoring in the 10th minute after a fast counterattack.

Undeterred by the goal conceded, Vietnam's futsal team maintained a tight defensive structure and persistently sought opportunities. Their efforts paid off in the 24th minute when Nhan Gia Hung delivered a clever free kick, allowing Nguyen Thinh Phat to unleash a stunning volley and level the score.

Just two minutes later, Vietnam continued to produce surprises. From a well-coordinated attacking move, Tran Thai Huy surged forward and finished accurately, giving the red-clad team a 2-1 lead.

However, Vietnam's advantage did not last long. In the 27th minute, Aleksandr Pirogov scored the equalizer for Russia, bringing the match back to a balanced state at 2-2.

The final minutes were lively as both teams pushed for victory. Vietnam employed a power-play strategy and created several dangerous opportunities. Nguyen Thinh Phat had three favorable shots but could not beat the opposing goalkeeper. Most unfortunately, in the closing seconds, Nhan Gia Hung's shot deflected off Thinh Phat's foot, hit the post, and bounced out.

On the Russian side, the European team also created a few notable counterattacks, including one that struck the post of Vietnam's goal.

Ultimately, the two teams drew 2-2. This is a positive result for Vietnam's futsal team against a high-level opponent, and it builds good momentum ahead of their next match.

According to the schedule, Coach Diego Raul Giustozzi's team will face New Zealand's futsal team at 18:00 on August 2 at Nonthaburi Indoor Stadium (Thailand).