Vietnamese players train at the Zhejiang University of Finance & Economics East Athletics' Stadium on September 17 in Hangzhou, China. Việt Nam will play Mongolia in the Group B opener on September 19. (Photo: Vietnam Football Federation)
Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnamese players have been preparingwell in both terms of physique and spirit for the tough 19th AsianGames (ASIAD) tournament in Hangzhou, China, with the first match againstMongolia.
The Vietnamese team will play Mongolia on September 19, followedby matches against Iran on September 21 and Saudi Arabia three days later inGroup B.
While Mongolia are much lower than Vietnam, No 95, in theworld ranking, Saudi and Iran are among the strongest teams in Asia.
The Vietnamese players arrived in Hangzhou on September 17 andthey had first training for the tournament at the Zhejiang University ofFinance & Economics East Athletics' Stadium.
"We had a long tired journey from Hanoi to Hangzhou but weare enjoying the hotel's facility, delicious food and cool weather," saidcoach Hoang Anh Tuan.
"My players have experienced an international competitionenvironment after taking part in the 2024 Asian championship qualifier and theFIFA Days' match. Now, what we do is to remind them about the meaning andimportance of this tournament.
"In addition to the profession, we have to support players'mentality, a job that we have done since the AFF U23 Championship last month.
"In such a short period, we can't do everything perfectly.Our coaching board knows that and we will flexibly fix our problems. In myopinion, my players are in good fitness and the best spirits. They are readyfor this challenge."
Tuan brought to China 22 players, 17 of them are under 21 and twoare over 23. At an average of 20.3 years old, Vietnam are the youngestteam among four Southeast Asian sides qualified for the Games.
Asked about the first rivals, Tuan, who guided Vietnam to the 2017U20 World Cup, said Mongolia, world No. 183, were the weakest team in thegroup but he actually could not evaluate their real power. He just requestedplayers to be focused. A win over them would give Vietnam a better chance toadvance to the next round.
The Mongolian team mainly includes players who competed inthe Asian qualifier last month. Their best known is midfielder TsogtbayarBatbayar who is competing for Leutschach FC in Austria.
In the Asian qualifier, Mongolia failed to progress from thegroup stage after two losses and one draw.
The second rival of Vietnam is world No. 22 Iran who are strong inboth fitness and technique along with good body stature.
After the Asian qualification defeat, Iran made a big change intheir line-up to ASIAD. Only seven players of the former team remained.
Coach Reza Enayati called up many players including regularmembers of the national senior team such as midfielders Yasin Salmaniand Mohammad Khodabandelo and defender Saman Falah.
He also added two over-23 players, forward Arsalan Motahari andgoalkeeper Hossein Hosseini.
Motahari has played more than 100 matches in the domestic leaguewhile Hosseini has been capped by the national team nine times. He playedat the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Saudi Arabia, world No. 54, came to China with the target ofa trophy. The best players have been selected and prepared for thetournament for six months.
The team made an impressive performance at the Asian qualifierthat gave them a place in the finals where they will defend their title.
Among their highlights is forward Khalil Nasser whoplays for Al Nassr FC. In the same front line as super star CristianoRonaldo, he scored three goals last season.
Other notable players are midfielders Yahya Salem, SaadAl-Nasser, Musab Al-Juwayr and forward Abdullah Radif.
In the previous ASIAD in 2018 in Indonesia, Mongolia did notcompete. Iran were eliminated from the round of 16. Saudi Arabia were oustedin the quarter-finals. Vietnam made the semi-finals, their best-ever resultin history./.
