Vietnam will face Malaysia at My Dinh National Stadium,
Hanoi, on November 16 (Photo: VNA)
The match will be held at Hanoi’s My Dinh National Stadium on
November 16.
Duc said the Malaysian players have good skills and better physical strength
than Vietnam, so Vietnam will be very careful.
Malaysia and Vietnam are two candidates to top the qualifying round. Vietnam
currently sits third in the group with three points, while Malaysia is top with
six. But Vietnam has only played one match – a 3-0 win against Laos – while
Malaysia played twice, beating Cambodia 1-0 and Laos 3-1.
Duc, who plays at the club level for Becamex Binh Duong, scored a goal in the
match with Laos in Vientiane. He was named one five of the most impressive
performers from the opening round of matches by foxsportsasia.com.
Amidst the fluidity of Vietnam’s attacking play, the 1.82m Duc provides a focal
point and will be hoping to put away the many chances that are bound to fall
his way throughout the tournament.
At the AFF Cup 2014, under the guidance of Japanese coach Toshya Miura, Vietnam
beat Malaysia 2-1 away but lost 2-4 at My Dinh Stadium.
"Malaysia is a strong team physically and technically,” said expert Doan Minh
Xuong. "Vietnam should not rush its play. Malaysia may try to play by erasing
their rival’s strengths. Suitable tactics could lead to a Vietnamese win.”
Vietnam is training hard in Hanoi to prepare for the game. Captain Nguyen Van
Quyet and midfielder Nguyen Tien Dung have recovered from their light injuries
and are training with their teammates.
"We need to prepare carefully in terms of psychology and tactics,” said
Vietnam’s head coach Park Hang-seo. "We need to control the ball better than in
the match with Laos,”
Park told the-afc.com that he does not have much information about
Malaysia but still needs to take three points from the match. With Malaysia
three points ahead of Vietnam in the group, Park said his team must win the
match to keep pace.
He also said that excitement surrounding the AFF event is increasing. Each
match will be difficult, and the match with Malaysia will feel like a final.
The Vietnam Football Federation worked with the Hanoi Police and My Dinh
Stadium’s organising board to ensure security for the match. The organising
board will prevent fans from bringing flares into the stadium.
Vietnam is seeking their second AFF Cup title after emerging champions in 2008.
Source: VNA