Challenge: Viet Nam are expected to qualify for the AFC championships. They will take part in the next week's qualifying round in Thailand. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — Head coach Sergio Gargelli believes Viet Nam can qualify for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Futsal Championships ahead of next week's qualifiers.

"I believe Viet Nam can qualify. Although we only have three weeks to prepare, we have made good progress," said Gargelli, whose contract has been extended until 2014.

The Vietnamese national futsal team is training hard to prepare for the AFC Futsal Championships qualifying competition in Bangkok, Thailand.

The team has been drawn in Group B along with Australia, Malaysia and Cambodia.

Australia are favourites to win the group and earn themselves a place in the semi-finals. Viet Nam will have to battle with Malaysia for the second spot, and although Viet Nam have got the better of recent encounters, Gargelli is not taking anything for granted.

"It is not an easy group and if we want to qualify for the semifinals, the first match against Malaysia will be both difficult and decisive," he said.

"The important thing is that the players are completely relaxed and ready for the match. They will have to give one hundred percent or even more to reach the last four," he said.

If Viet Nam reach the semifinals, they are likely to face formidable Thailand, who are favourites to take Group A, which also features Indonesia, Myanmar and the Philippines.

The top three will qualify for the AFC Futsal Championships. — VNS