Vietnam's national team achieved a resounding victory over an Oceanian opponent, boosting their chances of winning the international tournament title.

The Vietnamese futsal team maintained their strong performance at the 2026 Continental Championship Friendly Tournament in Thailand, beating New Zealand 4-1. Following a draw with Russia, Diego Giustozzi's side is in a commanding position to compete for the title.

Vietnam's futsal team cruised past New Zealand

Entering the match, the Vietnamese futsal team quickly took control of the game with high pressing and fast combinations. The breakthrough came in the 5th minute when Tu Minh Quang skillfully dribbled down the left flank before crossing for Trinh Cong Dai to slot home with a first-time finish, opening the scoring for the red-clad team.

Falling behind, New Zealand pushed forward to find an equalizer, but Vietnam's defense was tight and maintained good spacing, limiting the Oceanian side's dangerous chances. Meanwhile, Diego Giustozzi's players continued to apply relentless pressure, especially in pressing situations from the opponent's half, thereby preserving their 1-0 lead as the first half ended.

After the break, New Zealand surprisingly leveled the match in the 31st minute. Paulsen broke free from the offside trap and fired a powerful shot past goalkeeper Van Tu, making it 1-1.

However, the Vietnamese futsal team immediately showed their resilience. Just two minutes later, Nhan Gia Hung led a fast counter-attack and provided a perfect assist for Chau Doan Phat to finish accurately, restoring the lead for the home side.

The remaining time saw Vietnam's complete dominance. In the 34th minute, Trinh Cong Dai set up Thinh Phat for a powerful strike, extending the lead to 3-1. Then in the 37th minute, Thai Huy capped off the team's impressive display with a precise curling shot after a beautiful combination, sealing a convincing 4-1 victory.

With 4 points from two matches, including a draw against Russia and a convincing win over New Zealand, the Vietnamese futsal team is now in a strong position to compete for the championship at the 2026 Continental Championship Friendly Tournament in Thailand, while also demonstrating significant progress in their preparation for upcoming major goals.