But they will still be doing all they can tobecome the first Vietnamese side to reach the Inter-Zone Final.
In the past month, key scorerGaniyu Oseni got injured and will be out for the season after surgeryon his leg, defender Doan Van Hau suffered a knee injury last week and will beout for six weeks, defender Do Duy Manh was hospitalised because of hightemperature and he has not recovered, captain Nguyen Van Quyet and defender TranVan Kien have light pains while midfielders Dau Van Toan and Dinh Tien Thanhboth have problems too.
“We have a big problem. We have no midfielderavailable for this match at all,” said Hanoi FC’s coach Chu Dinh Nghiem atthe press briefing on August 19.
“I asked defender Manh and he said he wouldtry to play. I have to watch him (until tomorrow) but actually he would be inthe first team as I have no one else. Thanh can be his substitute if he couldnot cover all 90 minutes,” said Nghiem.
Nghiem also revealed Hanoi’s coaching teamhas watched Turkmenistan Altyn Asyr carefully and know their playing style.
"Altyn Asyr have tall and big playerswho are really strong. Then we will play short balls and try not to vie againstthem in term of physique."
He said Hanoi want to make history for Vietnamfootball. With the current personnel the team must try hard and still go for awin.
On the other side, coach HojageldiyevYazguly was confident although he admitted his team lacked informationabout Hanoi.
Yazguly said at this round both twosides were really strong and the match would be very attractive.
The 42-year-old also spent time to watch Hanoi’smatches and has been impressed with captain Quyet. He said Hanoi were good athome but Altyn Asyr have prepared well for the match and were confident of apositive result to take into the second leg.
Prior to the tournament, Vietnam champions Hanoi’sbest result was in the knockout stage in 2014 while Turkmenistan leaguewinners Altyn Asyr lost out to Air Force Club of Iraq in the 2018final.-VNS/VNA