HÀ NỘI — The upcoming Group A match with Malaysia in the ASEAN Federation Football (AFF) Suzuki Cup 2018 will be a tough test for Việt Nam, according to Vietnamese striker Nguyễn Anh Đức.

The match will be held at Hà Nội’s Mỹ Đình National Stadium on Friday.

Đức said the Malaysian players have good skills and better physical strength than Việt Nam, so Việt Nam will be very careful.

Malaysia and Việt Nam are two candidates to top the qualifying round group. Việt Nam currently sit third in the group with three points, while Malaysia are top with six. But Việt Nam has only played one match – a 3-0 win against Laos – while Malaysia played twice, beating Cambodia 1-0 and Laos 3-1.

Đức, who plays at the club level for Becamex Bình Dương, scored a goal in the match with Laos in Vientiane. He was named one five of the most impressive performers from the opening round of matches by foxsportsasia.com.

Amidst the fluidity of Việt Nam’s attacking play, the 1.82m Đức provides a focal point and will be hoping to put away the many chances that are bound to fall his way throughout the tournament.

At the AFF Cup 2014, under the guidance of Japanese coach Toshya Miura, Việt Nam beat Malaysia 2-1 away but lost 2-4 at Mỹ Đình Stadium.

“Malaysia are a strong team physically and technically,” said expert Đoàn Minh Xương. “Việt Nam should not rush its play. Malaysia may try to play by erasing their rival’s strengths. Suitable tactics could lead to a Vietnamese win.”

Việt Nam are training hard in Hà Nội to prepare for the game. Captain Nguyễn Văn Quyết and midfielder Nguyễn Tiến Dũng have recovered from their light injuries and are training with their teammates.

“We need to prepare carefully in terms of psychology and tactics,” said Việt Nam’s head coach Park Hang-seo. “We need to control the ball better than in the match with Laos,”

Park told the-afc.com that he does not have much information about Malaysia but still needs to take three points from the match. With Malaysia three points ahead of Việt Nam in the group, Park said his team must win the match to keep pace.

He also said that excitement surrounding the AFF event is increasing. Each match will be difficult, and the match with Malaysia will feel like a final.

The Việt Nam Football Federation worked with the Hà Nội Police and Mỹ Đình Stadium’s organising board to ensure security for the match. The organising board will prevent fans from bringing flares into the stadium.

Việt Nam are seeking their second AFF Cup title after emerging champions in 2008. — VNS