Football

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam has a chance to enter the final of the M-150 Cup friendly football tournament in Thailand after Uzbekistan tied with Myanmar 2-2 in Group B activity on Monday.

Việt Nam is on top after the first match with three points. Uzbekistan and Myanmar are second with one each.

The Vietnamese squad just needs a draw against Uzbekistan today to get to the gold-medal match.

It is the same with Thailand in Group A as they just tied with North Korea in the next match to join Việt Nam.

Coach Park Hang-seo and his players are working hard to prepare for their second game at the I-Mobile Stadium in Buriram.

Two days before the match, South Korean Park, who watched Uzbekistan vs Myanmar game on the stand, asked his players to carefully practice counter-attack plans to face Uzbekistan.

“He asked us to practice defence in a dynamic way but follow the 3-4-3 formation. He requested players to keep contact with each other and between lines. It will help the team work fluently,” said defender Trần Đình Trọng.

“We are shorter than them but if we could cover each other in all situations and play with confidence we could beat this giant team,” he said, adding that the whole team was ready for the match.

Speaking about Park’s 3-4-3 formation, which was just introduced to Việt Nam squad, former national striker Đặng Phương Nam said the team gradually mastered it and achieved success as seen in their 4-0 win over Myanmar last week.

“They (the U23s) show their skills better in managing the balls and co-operate with each other well. People can see that when they work together to produce four goals and many other chances against Myanmar,” said Nam.

“Trio Nguyễn Công Phượng, Nguyễn Quang Hải and Nguyễn Văn Toàn can play well even in personal or team situations. Hải and Phượng worked perfectly together. They just need to improve their link with the rest of the team,” he added.

Hải, who scored a double in the opening match, received appreciation from coaches and experts.

“I believe in Hải, who can make a change in a match. He has grown up quickly after competing two years in the V. League under Hà Nội FC’s jersey. Eyes should be kept on this big potential guy in Việt Nam crew,” said former national defender Nguyễn Việt Thắng.

Apart from the trio, other players who are expected to fly high are midfielders Đức Huy, Hồng Duy, Ngọc Quang and Xuân Trường.

Former coach Nguyễn Thành Vinh said the team’s wing defender Văn Hậu and Văn Thanh were secret weapons.

“They are strong. They displayed good speed and technique, and even managed to score from a long distance. Thanh can even be switched with a striker, he often scores for his club and national teams,” Vinh said.

On the other side, Khaydarov Ravshan of Uzbekistan was excited with his team’s fightback to draw with Myanmar on Monday. 

He said some of his players suffered injuries but the team immediately went to the field to practice.

Ravshan said Việt Nam was a good team, playing with discipline and strictly following tactics and he would work with his assistants to have a plan when facing Việt Nam on Wednesday. — VNS