Malaysia and Vietnam are preparing for a heated fight in what is shaping up to be an incredibly competitive Group G. Both teams have played one game so far. The home side emerged with a 0-0 draw against Thailand at the Thammasat Stadium, while Malaysia lost 2-1 to the UAE at the Bukit Jalil Stadium despite taking the lead. Football Tribe’s Tran Tien and Amin Anas look ahead at the match between their two sides today.
Vietnam
Tran Tien
Vietnam prepared for the match early, starting from September 20th with over 30 players get the call to the squad. But with Hanoi FC playing in AFC Cup and some oversea players cannot return in time for training camp, Vietnam always lacked some key players in training. The team had its full squad only two days before the games with the return of Doan Van Hau from the Netherlands.
Based on recent results in the AFF Cup and AFC Asian Cup, Vietnam can be considered as the better team. However, Malaysia has grown rapidly in 2019 and has only lost two games from the start of the year. Surely Park Hang Seo’s side will aim to take the full points from this match but this will not be an easy task in the situation of fatigue from key players.
Player to Watch – Nguyen Trong Hung, Winger, Age 22: At the time four days left before the games, Trong Hung was still a part of the U22 Vietnam team that prepare for SEA Games. But the injury of Huy Toan has created the chance for 22 year-old midfielder. With the speed and power shooting, Trong Hung may become the “secret weapon” that Mr. Park uses to take on Malaysia.
It will be a hard game for both teams. Which team can convert the chances to the goal will win the match. I predict a 1-1 draw.