VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam’s U19 team is ready to compete in the 2018 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U19 Championship’s finals in Indonesia, according to head coach Hoang Anh Tuan.

Vietnam’s national U19 squad train to prepare for the match with Jordan in the 2018 AFC U19 Championship in Indonesia today. — Photo baomoi.com

The team will meet Jordan in the opening game of Group C today.

Vietnam confirmed their place in AFC final after topping Group G of the event’s qualifying round last year, while Jordan ranked first in Group E.

Jordan defeated neighbours Palestine 2-0 and Syria 2-1 either side of a crucial 0-0 draw with Iran to return to the AFC U19 Championship for the first time in six years.

At this year’s event, Jordan hope to earn a qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup for the second time after debuting in 2006.

Vietnam entered the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2017 following a history-making semi-final appearance at the AFC U19 Championship in 2016, so Tuan’s sights are set on qualifying for the 2019 edition.

Besides Jordan, Vietnam will face 12-time champions South Korea and Australia, who have been to the FIFA U20 World Cup 15 times and reached the AFC U19 Championship final in 2010.

“Jordan, South Korea and Australia are very strong. But we have suitable tactics to face them. We will try our best in every game, firstly with Jordan,” said Tuan.

Yesterday, Tuan finalised his list of 22 out of 23 players to prepare for the tournament. He said he saved one place for defender Doan Van Hau, who is training with the national team to prepare for the AFF Cup in South Korea.

“We have to give priority to the national team. I only registered 22 out of 23 players for the AFC U19 event. There is one more slot. I save it for Hau. We will use Hau any players are injured,” said Tuan.

Hau, 19, plays for V.League 1 defending champions Ha Noi FC and has been tipped as a potential young star of Group A in the upcoming AFF Suzuki Cup.

To prepare for the AFC event, Vietnam have trained in China and Qatar.

To encourage Vietnam, Falcon Paint has announced that it will give players US$500 for each goal scored in the match with Jordan today.

Vietnam will next face Australia on October 22 and South Korea on October 25.

The top four teams of the tournament will qualify for the 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in Poland next year. 

Source: VNS