For Oman, the latest result meant they are unable to add to their three points collected in a stunning opening day victory against Japan. Two spirited performances in the subsequent matches produced little as coach Branko Ivankovic’s men lost to the two Group A leaders Saudi Arabia and Australia.

Arriving at this stage of the qualifiers for the first time, it has been a tough start for the Vietnamese with nothing to show for in terms of points despite some positive displays. Nguyen Quang Hai had put his side in dreamland just three minutes into the campaign as they led Saudi Arabia in their opener, but things went south from there, with the game ending 3-1, and defeats to Australia and China PR followed.

Tuesday’s hosts currently sit in fourth place in the group with three points, level with third-placed Japan, but six points behind runaway leaders Australia and Saudi Arabia, but a win against Vietnam could prove vital to closing that gap or overtaking Japan or both as Japan and Australia face each other on the same day.

Vietnam, sitting bottom of the group with no points will hope to enter the mix, aware that a win at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex will put them level with Oman and can steer them as high up as third should other results go their way.

The two sides have never met in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, but they played each other in Group E of the 2004 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers, with Oman cruising to victory in both legs; 6-0 in Vietnam and 2-0 in Oman.

Oman v Vietnam
Venue: Sultan Qaboos Sport Complex, Muscat
Kick-off: 20:00 (UTC+4)