Football

Vietnamese players train in Hà Nội ahead of Tuesday's AFF Cup Group B match against Malaysia. Photo of VFF

HÀ NỘI — Midfielder Nguyễn Hoàng Đức has no doubts that Việt Nam will beat Malaysia in their AFF Cup's Group B match tomorrow at the Hà Nội's Mỹ Đình Stadium.

The national side have been in intensive training since their 6-0 victory over Laos in Group B last week.

"We really appreciate Malaysia. We played them many times previously and respect them a lot," said Đức.

"I believe Việt Nam will have to play with caution and try to avoid mistakes. We will play Malaysia at home, which is a big advantage for us. We are all determined to win," he said.

The national 2021 Golden Ball winner added that he saw Malaysia matches against Myanmar and Laos. The Tigers had new and young players who competed at the recent SEA Games. The team also presented some quality naturalised players who would provide danger to the hosts.

However, Việt Nam had been researching ways to stop them.

Midfielder Nguyễn Hoàng Đức believes in a win for Việt Nam against Malaysia. — Photo of VFF

Asking about teammate Nguyễn Quang Hải, who was replaced early in the match against Laos on December 21 and did not train with teammates in the last few days, Đức said: “Hải suffered a light pain in the high thigh that forced him to leave the match against Laos, but he will be back to play Malaysia".

He also revealed that his veteran Bùi Tiến Dũng was back in action after he tested negative for COVID-19.

The experienced defender would make Việt Nam's defence stronger when faced with the powerful Malaysian side, who leapfrogged Việt Nam to top Group B after beating Laos 5-0 on Saturday.

It was their second win after winning 1-0 over Myanmar on December 21 at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon.

Coach Kim Pan Gon and his team arrived in Việt Nam yesterday and are full of confidence.

South Korean Kim said he expected his side to leave Việt Nam with three points.

He said his players were ready to put in a good shift and warned they were goal-hunger.

He believed that players should be encouraged to express their abilities and convert their potential into real power.

However, Kim will not have one of his key players Khuzaimi Piee who suffered a torn ligament and is sidelined this tournament.

The 29-year-old defender was the core of the team at the 2023 Asian Cup qualification and helped Malaysia earn a berth in the finals.

Việt Nam have not lost to Malaysia in the last six matches, a run that began back in 2018.

Malaysian players land in Hà Nội on Sunday. They have a plan to beat the hosts on Tuesday. — Photo of FAM

Meanwhile, under Kim, Malaysia have won nine out of 11 games in all competitions, including winning a penalty shoot-out against Thailand at the 2022 King's Cup.

The match between Việt Nam and Malaysia will be live aired from 7.30 pm on VTV channels. VNS