Zhang Yuning, striker of the Chinese national football team, expressed his confidence that China will beat Vietnam in their third 2022 World Cup qualifier game in an interview with Xinhua News Agency on Sunday.

"We took a few days off after the first two games and have been building strength and conditioning for the coming two games recently. The training sessions were more intensive than before," said Zhang to Xinhua. "We have made specific plans against Vietnam in every position based on their playstyle. I'm confident we will beat them in an excellent game."

China's U23 national team lost to Vietnam 2-0 in 2019 and Zhang started off the bench in that game. "We lost to them back then, now it's a good opportunity for us to defeat them. I need to do my job first, which is to keep running in every minute of the game and spare no efforts trying to grasp every scoring chance. That what I ask myself to do in everyday practice," Zhang told Xinhua.

China lost to Australia 3-0 and to Japan 1-0 in their first two World Cup qualifier games. Despite the loss, Zhang said he still learnt a lot from the experience and it's very helpful to his growth as a player.

The Chinese national team has been training be hind closed doors since they departed home in late August. Zhang admitted that it's a challenge to everyone. "But we have a common goal so we will stick it out. We are all professional players, that's what we do, and we do it for the country," added Zhang.

China will play against Vietnam in Sharjah on October 7 and they must win to remain hopeful for World Cup qualification.