VietNamNet Bridge – Saying that the Vietnamese national football squad is facing many difficulties but coach Henrique Calisto stated that Vietnam is determined to defend its championship at the 2010 ASEAN Football Cup (AFF Cup), which will open on December 2 in Hanoi.

 

 

 

 

Vietnam is in the same group with Singapore, Myanmar and the Philippines. Two years ago, at the AFF Cup 2008, Vietnam defeated Singapore in the semi-finals.

 

Myanmar and the Philippines are said to be at the second rank in Southeast Asia but Calisto didn’t agree with the comment.

 

“There have been many changes in the last two years. I don’t underestimate any team in Southeast Asia. I respect them all!” Calisto said.

 

Playing at home and being the incumbent champion, it is a must for Vietnam to pass the first round of the AFF Cup 2010.

 

“Our rivals are strong but we will definitely enter the semi-final round. My strategy is to deal with each game, one by one. I’ve never talked about the specific goal of the Vietnamese team at AFF Cup 2010. But now I can state that we have to keep the championship cup in Vietnam,” he said.

 

After rejecting Minh Duc, Ngoc Dieu and Duy Quang, the Vietnamese team currently has 22 members.

 

In the last drilling before the first game against Myanmar on December 2, Calisto didn’t ask his players to do heavy exercises. The coach also didn’t get angry with his players. He allowed young players of the Hanoi T&T club to meet with his team.

 

“I want my players to be really comfortable and relax before the opening match. The drilling today seems to offer some relaxing moments for our team,” Calisto said.

 

Coach Avramovic of Singapore, the main rival of Vietnam in the first round, was very calm before the game.

 

“Everyone knows about Singapore’s ability. We have also understood the real ability of Vietnam, the Philippines or Myanmar. We respect all rivals. I can’t say anything about the results in Group B. Vietnam is our big rival. The game between Singapore and Vietnam will be a quality match,” he said.

 

Coach Tin Myint Aung of Myanmar admitted that his team is weaker than Vietnam and Singapore but he said Myanmar had prepared carefully for the AFF Cup 2010. “We have great aspirations and we are very confident in our ability to enter the semi-final round,” he stated.

 

Mc Menemy, the coach of the Philippines, said: “We have well prepared and have trust. Our goal is showing our ability and we hope to create a few surprises”.

 

AFF Cup match schedule

 

Group B (Vietnam):

 

December 2

Singapore v.s Philippines (5: pm) at My Dinh Stadium, Hanoi

Vietnam v.s Myanmar (7.30: pm) at My Dinh Stadium

 

December 5

Singapore v.s Myanmar (5: pm) at My Dinh Stadium

Philippines v.s Vietnam (7.30: pm) at My Dinh Stadium

 

December 8

Myanmar v.s Philippines (7.30: pm) at Thien Truong Stadium, Nam Dinh city

Vietnam – Singapore (7.30: pm) at My Dinh Stadium

 

Group A (Indonesia)

 

December 1

Thailand v.s Laos

Indonesia v.s Malaysia

 

December 4

Thailand v.s Malaysia

Laos v.s Indonesia

 

December 7

Malaysia v.s Laos

Indonesia v.s Thailand 

 

Semi-final round (at host and guest stadiums)

 

December 15: Second team of Group A v.s First team of Group B

December 16: Second team of Group B v.s First team of Group A

December 18: First team of Group B v.s Second team of Group A

December 19 First team of Group A v.s Second team of Group B

 

PV