Vietnam's head coach Falko Goetz is confident his team will come out on top against Macau in the first round of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Asian qualifiers on June 29.
"I believe in a Vietnam victory. We must get a good result against Macau tomorrow because we will have to play the second game away," the 49-year-old German coach said in a pre-match press conference at Thong Nhat Stadium on June 28.
Vietnam will take on Macau at Thong Nhat Stadium without talented midfielder Nguyen Viet Thang, who is on a red card.
The team will also be without midfielder Le Phuoc Tu, who is injured, while seniors such as goalkeeper Duong Hong Son, midfielders Nguyen Vu Phong and Nguyen Minh Duc could not join for personal reasons.
Goetz has called up Nguyen Trong Hoang and Nguyen Van Quyet, who played well against Saudi Arabia last week for Vietnam's Olympic team.
The hosts are 50 points ahead of Macau in the FIFA rankings.
"We have to work hard in preparation for the match. We have set ourselves the goal of winning as we are on home turf," Goetz said.
Macau's head coach Leung Sui Wing also believes his team has a good chance of winning the game.
"Both teams want to win the match tomorrow. It will be up to the best team on the day. We will do our best," Leung said.
"I have no idea about the strength of the present Vietnam team but know that it is one of the strongest in Southeast Asia. Macau will strive for the best result and we may create challenges for Vietnam," he said on arrival at the Tan Son Nhat Airport.
Leung, who captained Hong Kong in the World Cup in 1986, arrived in Vietnam on June 27 with a squad of 18 players – three of whom are of Portugese-origin. Among the remaining some were born in mainland China and Hong Kong.
"Foreign-origin players play an important role in the team because of their great experience," said Leung, singling out captain Cheung Geofredo.
The visitors have been training since their domestic tournament ended a week ago.
Macau have played only one friendly this year. Earlier this month they beat Hong Kong under-21s 1-1.
Tickets for the encounter cost from 50,000 VND (2.5 USD) to 150,000 VND (7.5 USD).
The second leg match will be played in Macau on July 3. The winner will play Qatar in the next round./.
"I believe in a Vietnam victory. We must get a good result against Macau tomorrow because we will have to play the second game away," the 49-year-old German coach said in a pre-match press conference at Thong Nhat Stadium on June 28.
Vietnam will take on Macau at Thong Nhat Stadium without talented midfielder Nguyen Viet Thang, who is on a red card.
The team will also be without midfielder Le Phuoc Tu, who is injured, while seniors such as goalkeeper Duong Hong Son, midfielders Nguyen Vu Phong and Nguyen Minh Duc could not join for personal reasons.
Goetz has called up Nguyen Trong Hoang and Nguyen Van Quyet, who played well against Saudi Arabia last week for Vietnam's Olympic team.
The hosts are 50 points ahead of Macau in the FIFA rankings.
"We have to work hard in preparation for the match. We have set ourselves the goal of winning as we are on home turf," Goetz said.
Macau's head coach Leung Sui Wing also believes his team has a good chance of winning the game.
"Both teams want to win the match tomorrow. It will be up to the best team on the day. We will do our best," Leung said.
"I have no idea about the strength of the present Vietnam team but know that it is one of the strongest in Southeast Asia. Macau will strive for the best result and we may create challenges for Vietnam," he said on arrival at the Tan Son Nhat Airport.
Leung, who captained Hong Kong in the World Cup in 1986, arrived in Vietnam on June 27 with a squad of 18 players – three of whom are of Portugese-origin. Among the remaining some were born in mainland China and Hong Kong.
"Foreign-origin players play an important role in the team because of their great experience," said Leung, singling out captain Cheung Geofredo.
The visitors have been training since their domestic tournament ended a week ago.
Macau have played only one friendly this year. Earlier this month they beat Hong Kong under-21s 1-1.
Tickets for the encounter cost from 50,000 VND (2.5 USD) to 150,000 VND (7.5 USD).
The second leg match will be played in Macau on July 3. The winner will play Qatar in the next round./.
