The two were back to normal training in the team’s last training session at Hanoi’s My Dinh Stadium on Friday evening, one day ahead of the final showpiece at the biggest regional football tournament.
Centre-back Que Ngoc Hai returned to full training with his teammates after having to practice separately a day earlier. It is known that the injury to the vice-captain is not ominous and he is likely to be named in the starting line-up this evening.
Striker Nguyen Van Toan also practiced together with the team yesterday. He may not feature in the starting 11, but his speed and technique could be important for coach Park Hang-seo’s tactics. The supersub striker always scores important goals when called on from the bench.
Drawing 2-2 at Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur in the first leg was a good result for Vietnam before they have to finish the job in the return leg at My Dinh. The two away goals are a huge advantage as Vietnam only need a 0-0 or 1-1 draw to be crowned the champions.
Having the strongest squad in hand is the basis for Park and his associates to set up a surprise for Malaysia - the team now have nothing to lose and will surely play attack at My Dinh this evening.
In the group stage, Park’s players were a better side against manager Tan Cheng Hoe’s team, as they win 2-0. In the final first leg, Park made reasonable calculations to create an advantage right at noisy Bukit Jalil with over 80,000 Malaysian fans cheering their home team.
Now, having advantage of two away goals and the cheering from 40,000 fans at My Dinh, Park and his players are only separated from their second AFF Cup trophy by only 90 minutes.
The AFF Cup 2018 final return match will take place at 7:30 pm at My Dinh Stadium this evening.
* Coach Park calls for Vietnamese fans’ support in AFF Cup final match against Malaysia
* National squad practice under Hanoi’s 13°C cold, preparing for AFF Cup final return leg
