Vietnam 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 December 11.

Vietnam U23 team practise in Thailand. (Photo: VFF)

Vietnam 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 on December 13 to get to the gold-medal match.

It is the same with Thailand in Group A as they just tied with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the next match to join Vietnam.

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, 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 Tran Dinh Trong.

“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 Vietnam squad, former national striker Dang Phuong 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 Nguyen Cong Phuong, Nguyen Quang Hai and Nguyen Văn Toan can play well even in personal or team situations. Hai and Phuong worked perfectly together. They just need to improve their link with the rest of the team,” he added.

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

“I believe in Hai, who can make a change in a match. He has grown up quickly after competing two years in the V. League under Hanoi FC’s jersey. Eyes should be kept on this big potential guy in Vietnam crew,” said former national defender Nguyen Viet Thang.

Apart from the trio, other players who are expected to fly high are midfielders Duc Huy, Hong Duy, Ngoc Quang and Xuan Truong.

Former coach Nguyen Thanh Vinh said the team’s wing defender Van Hau and Van 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 December 11. 

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

Ravshan said Vietnam was a good team, playing with discipline and strictly following tactics and he would work with his assistants to have a plan when facing Vietnam on December 13.-VNA