HÀ NỘI — Coach Hoàng Anh Tuấn of Việt Nam’s U20 squad said the upcoming match against Argentina would show supporters how his team have prepared for the FIFA World Cup in South Korea.

Speaking at a pre-match conference yesterday, Tuấn said his players would show their best skills spirit at the friendly at the HCM City’s Thống Nhất Stadium tonight.

“We have set our target. We have worked hard for months. It is not for the Argentina match but the World Cup. However we hope to learn a lot from the game,” said Tuấn.

“Argentina are many levels above us so we are under no pressure in this match. The main problem is the mentality of players. The coaching staff have to improve it and I believe they will,” he added.

The former national team defender said Argentina has outstanding individuals whose skills are world class with good physiques. However in their 20s there would be little physical difference between the two sides.

At the press conference, captain Nguyễn Quang Hải was confident.

He said, “My teammates and I are ready for tomorrow’s match. As a captain I will do my best to encourage them.”

On the other side, coach Claudio Ubeda and captain Santiago Ascacibar talked up Việt Nam.

Ascasibar said his team considered it an important match to prepare for the World Cup.

Ubeda said his team had watched Việt Nam’s matches and they would be good preparation for the World Cup. He also said he would choose his team for the World Cup based on his player’s performance in this match.

He said it was not an accident that Việt Nam qualified for the World Cup They proved themselves a quality team and a worthy rival for Argentina.

Argentina are a regular face at the U20 World Cup, having won the competition six times. This is Việt Nam’s first appearance.

While Argentina hope to come away as winners of the tournament, Việt Nam have already made history as the first ever Southeast Asian team to compete at the tournament.

The match will be live aired from 7pm at a sold-out Thống Nhất Stadium. — VNS