Vietnamese players are training in Hanoi in preparation for the Asian Cup 2019 qualifier against Cambodia on October 10 (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - MaiDuc Chung will take charge as national head coach in his last match as Vietnamhost Cambodia in the Asian Cup 2019’s third qualification round on October 10 at My DinhStadium in Hanoi.
The acting coach will then stepback to for make way for the Republic of Korea’s Park Hang Seo who will takeover the coveted position and officially sign a deal with the Vietnam FootballFederation on October 11.
A win in the game could not onlypush Vietnam to the top of Group C, but would also be a touching farewellfor Chung, who will return to lead the national women’s squad.
“The win will be for the team’ssupporters, but I am sure Chung would be the happiest person," captainNguyen Van Quyet said at a press conference on October 10.
Quyet on behalf of the whole teamthanked Chung for what he had achieved during his short stint.
At the conference, the66-year-old coach said it would be difficult to play a beautiful game and winat the same time, which is what the supporters were hoping for.
“We need a win more thanbeautiful playing. The final target will be three points from this match. Wewill play counter-attack to achieve our target,” Chung said, who added that hisplayers were asked to attack through wings, free kicks and corner kicks.
“In this return leg, my playersare on home soil, playing on natural grass, which is their favourite and alsounder support of their beloved fans. It would be great advantage for us,”Chung, who has been working on the football field for more than 40 years,said.
He said he watched a friendlymatch between Cambodia and Indonesia last week and foundthere was no change in their tactics and personnel.
“Each team has its own way ofplaying. Cambodia’s playing style is dependent on their star performerChan Vathanaka. Vietnam’s strength comes from the team’s unity. We must havedifferent solutions for different rivals. I have my own way to limitVathanaka’s ability,” he said.
Speaking with reporters, defenderQue Ngoc Hai said he was excited to face Vathanaka, who was fast and had asharp mind.
“I have been up against himseveral times. He has progressed a lot and would be a redoubtable striker. Heplayed at his peak in the match versus Indonesia. I will have to keep aneye on him, otherwise he could make the difference,” Hai said.
Vathanaka is called ‘Cambodia’sMessi’. He is the most important player in coach Leonardo Vitorino’s line-up.
He scored a goalin Cambodia’s 1-3 defeat against Indonesia. The 23-year-old, who isplaying in the Japanese J-League 3, has scored 13 goals in his 34 appearancesfor the national team.
At the briefing, Vitorino hoped his teamcould change things around in today’s match.
The Brazilian said Cambodian would playdefence, learning from the first leg match in which they lost 1-2 to PhnomPenh on September 5.
He said one of his team’s disadvantages wastheir physique. In the Phnom Penh match, Cambodia played attack in the firsthalf, and were therefore exhausted in the second half, which was when Vietnamscored the decisive goal.
Vitorino did not reveal if Vathanaka wouldplay at My Dinh. Some days ago, he said his striker was having health problemsand may not compete.
The coach said he had spent time studying Vietnam’sfootball following the Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia.
The 43-year-old praised three players of thehost nation - midfielders Luong Xuan Truong and Nguyen Van Quyet and defenderDoan Van Hau.
He said these impressive players could make abreakthrough in any game with their smart and effective passes.
In case they lost, Cambodia’s door tothe Asian Cup final is almost closed as they will be No 3 in the table withonly three points.
The top position will go to Vietnam ifin another match of the group, being played on the sameday, Jordan lose to Afghanistan, who are at the bottom. Vietnam willhave eight points and Jordan seven. If Jordan draws Afghanistan,the No 1 position will belong to either Vietnam or Jordan, whoever have bettergoal difference.
To advance to thefinals, Cambodia must win both its remaining matches with a highscore, while hoping both Vietnam and Jordan perform poorly.
Only the two top-ranked teams can advance tothe Cup finals, organised from January 5 to February 1, 2019, in theUnited Arab Emirates.
The match between Vietnam and Cambodia willbe aired live on VTV6 channel from 7pm.
Supporters are encouraged to go to thestadium to watch the game on the field, with tickets available at kiosks aroundthe ground for 100,000-200,000 VND (4.5-9 USD).-VNA
VNA
