>>> Vietnam prepare plans for pivotal World Cup qualifier against UAE
>>> Vietnam actively prepare for top-spot decider against UAE
The Golden Star Warriors are temporarily sitting on top of Group G with a two-point lead over second-placed UAE. However, this advantage is not completely certain because a loss will deprive the AFF Cup champions of their top spot and put them at risk of losing the right to decide their own destiny in the race for a slot in the next round of World Cup qualifiers.
“The UAE are the No. 1 team in Group G. We beat them 1-0 in the first leg, but the situation is different now. Their tactics and techniques have risen to a new level. Tomorrow’s game will be very tough,” Park said during a pre-match press conference on June 14.
“Ali Mabkhout was missing in the first leg, but will return tomorrow. In addition, they have three more naturalised players, of whom Caio Canedo and Fabio de Lima are among attacking spearheads. These strong attackers and the home-field advantage for the UAE will be the difficulties that our players will have to overcome,” he added.
The Vietnam-UAE clash will be the game between the team conceding fewest goals and the team scoring the most goals in Group G. Despite speaking highly of the opponents, the Korean coach affirmed that the Vietnamese will not enter the field with the goal of just managing a draw.
“We think the UAE are not yet the team with the strongest attacking line, because we previously met Iraq and Iran. Many say we have the most solid defence, but this is also not sure. What’s the most important is that Vietnam will try to play according to the prepared tactics. Tomorrow’s match will be tough. I don’t want the players to think that they will just need a draw to top Group G.”
Vietnam will clash with the UAE at Zabeel Stadium (Dubai) tomorrow night in a match where Park Hang-seo’s side will just need a draw to advance to the last round of the World Cup qualifiers for the first time.
With Park to be banned from the technical area for the UAE match as a result of his two yellow cards, assistant coach Lee Young-jin will take over the role of directly instructing the Golden Star Warriors.
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Assistant coach Lee Young-jin will lead the Vietnamese team in their upcoming match against the UAE. (Photo: VFF)
Regarding this issue, Park said: “Actually, I am still the head coach until the game commences. We have prepared some scripts to be applied for tomorrow’s match. There will be variables, and depending on the situation, my assistant will deliver proper response. He is quite qualified enough to give instructions during the match.”
Vietnam are currently leading Group G with 17 points following their amazing seven-game unbeaten run (five wins and two draws). A draw against the UAE on Tuesday will be enough to send Park’s troops through to the last round of World Cup qualifiers as group winners.
