Vietnamese national team trains in Hanoi on October 7 (Photo: tinmoi24.vn) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Both Vietnam and Malaysia kept their cards close to their chests duringtraining sessions ahead of their 2022 World Cup qualifying game on October 10.
Both Vietnam’s coach ParkHang-seo and his counterpart Tan Cheng Hoe trained behind closed doors beforethe game, their first since the 2018 AFF Cup final last December.
Tan refused to speak withVietnamese journalists but told the press from his home nation they are wary ofVietnam’s counter attacking style.
The 51-year-old said nomistakes could be made especially in defence because Vietnamese players canturn defence to attack in the blink of an eye.
He said Malaysia could notbeat Vietnam in three recent matches but history goes out of the window aheadof this match.
Tan said his team wereready to play with concentration and confidence against the wall of supportbehind Vietnam.
In the world ranking, Vietnamare No 99, much higher than No 158 Malaysia. But Tan asked his players tocompete with a “can-do” spirit.
Malaysia arrived Hanoi on October7 and among their squad are four naturalised players. One of them is midfielderBrendan Gan who believed that his team would do good job in the coming match.
He said Malaysia weredifferent in both personnel and style. It would be a tough match but as it wasa new era, new times for Malaysia.
Meanwhile captain AidilRadzak said that Malaysia would attack from the beginning and look for an earlygoal.
Coach Tan has all playersfit for the match, meanwhile Park faces with a slight disadvantage withmidfielder Luong Xuan Truong ruled out through injury.
The Korean coach's keydefender Doan Van Hau has had just two days to train with the whole team afterhe missed a fly home from the Netherlands.
“It is a pity that I wastedone day of practicing with the team due to late flight,” Hau said.
“But I am always ready toplay if Park believes in me. Two days are enough for me to get up to speed andcatch up with the whole team.”
Hau, 20, has key role in Vietnam’sdefence who conceded only one goal in their three recent matches.
Midfielder Do Hung Dung isalso anxious for the whistle. “Malaysia just defeated Sri Lanka 6-0 in afriendly. It would be a push for them. But we have home advantage withthousands local supporters,” he said.
“I am excited to play thegame and want to score a goal.”
Iranian referee MoudBonyadifar will take charge of the match at the My Dinh Stadium.
FIFA-certificatedBonyadifar has never refereed a Vietnam match before.
He is a regular faceworking at the AFC Champions League, AFC Cup World Cup qualifiers./.
VNA
