The Malaysian Futsal team arrived in Ho Chi Minh City to prepare for two friendly matches with Vietnam on January 25 and 26, according to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF)

The first match is scheduled for 5 p.m on January 25 at the sport centre of Ton Duc Thang University in District 7. The second will take place at 4 p.m the next day at Thai Son Nam Gymnasium in District 8.

The Malaysians have made remarkable progress since they were joined by coach Coelho Marcello Serpa. The team defeated Vietnam 6-5 for the bronze at the ASEAN Football Federation Futsal Championship in Bangkok last year.

Vietnam’s national Futsal team, coached by Bruno Garcia Formoso, will depart for Uzbekistan on January 27 for training before they compete in the 2016 AFC Futsal Championship finals in the host country from February 10 to 21.

Vietnam has been drawn in Group C with Thailand, Hong Kong and Tajikistan, while Malaysia is in Group D with Japan, Australia and Qatar. Vietnam aims to get in the event’s top eight.

Some 16 teams will play in the tournament, which acts as the AFC’s qualifiers for the World Cup.

The top five teams will qualify for the 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Colombia.