AFF Cup: Vietnam to play tenth clash against Malaysia

Vietnam will face a hard test on their route to the semis at the on-going ASEAN Federation Football (AFF) Suzuki Cup 2018, as the national squad will encounter strong rivals Malaysia in their second Group A match at home on November 16.

Vietnam are preparing with their highest focus for the upcoming important match with strong rivals Malaysia. (Photo: VOV)
Vietnam are preparing with their highest focus for the upcoming important match with strong rivals Malaysia. (Photo: VOV)

>>> Coach Park sees Vietnam’s next match against Malaysia as "final"

The match, at Hanoi’s My Dinh National Stadium tomorrow evening, will be the tenth clash between the two sides. In the previous nine meetings, Vietnamese players won five, drew one and lost three games.

Malaysia and Vietnam are the two candidates to top the qualifying round. Vietnam currently sits third in the group with three points, while Malaysia is top with six. Vietnam has only played one match – a 3-0 win against Laos on November 8 – while Malaysia played twice, beating Cambodia 1-0 and Laos 3-1.

Vietnam have been tasked with a must-win mission for a chance to top the group (in case second ranked Myanmar beat or tie with Laos), while Malaysia only need a draw to stay atop.

Yesterday afternoon, the Malaysian squad arrived in Hanoi and started training immediately in preparation for the important upcoming match. Both sides expressed their caution ahead of the big game.

Malaysian players have their first training session right after setting foot in Hanoi. (Photo: VOV)

Talking to Vietnamese media, Malaysian striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, who scored three of Malaysia's four goals in the last two games, praised the good form of Vietnam's defensive line. He also expressed his admiration for Vietnam’s captain Van Quyet, saying that he is the most formidable player of the home team.

Meanwhile, Zaquan Adha, the Malaysian captain, who has one goal to his name at the region’s biggest football tournament, said Vietnam is a strong team so it will not be an easy match for Malaysia.

Meanwhile, host striker Van Toan said that Malaysia usually do not reveal all their ability when facing weak teams, but when meeting opponents with equal strength, they are very dangerous.

Toan also praised the good skills and physical strength of his rivals, especially striker Talaha and the two wingers, so Vietnam must be very careful.