2020 AFC U23 Championship

Quang Hai aims to collect full three points against Jordan

Vietnam U23s’ captain, Nguyen Quang Hai, has affirmed his determination to collect the full three points against Jordan U23s when the two sides meet on the second matchday of Group D in the 2020 AFC U23 Championship later tonight (Jan 13).

Quang Hai has affirmed his determination to beat Jordan in their next Group D clash of the 2020 AFC U23 Championship. (Photo: AFC)
Quang Hai has affirmed his determination to beat Jordan in their next Group D clash of the 2020 AFC U23 Championship. (Photo: AFC)

>>> Midfielder Viet Hung confident for victory over Jordan

After a goalless draw with UAE U23s in their opener on Friday (Jan 10), Quang Hai and his teammates have only collected one point to rank third in the group, while Jordan have claimed the top spot with three points after a 2-1 victory over DPR Korea in their first match the same day.

Therefore, the clash with Jordan at Buriram Stadium in Buriram, Thailand, later today will have an important role in Vietnam’s campaign to win ticket to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, as the Thailand-based tournament acts as the Asian qualifying round for Tokyo 2020.

After winning one point in the opener, which can be considered a success against the strong Emirati team, coach Park Hang-seo’s side needs a favourable result against motivated Jordan to boost their chances of advancing to the knockout stage of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) tournament.

The current standings in Group D of the 2020 AFC U23 Championship after the first matchday. (Photo: AFC)

Park Hang-seo’s men missed several chances against UAE, with Quang Hai coming close on several occasions while Nguyen Tien Linh was denied the winner by goalkeeper Mohammed Al Shamsi in the 86th minute.

But to be fair, UAE also created a range of dangerous attacks to the goal protected by keeper Bui Tien Dung. Quang Hai also admitted that UAE had proven to be formidable opponents. “It was a very difficult match indeed, with UAE being strong opponents. But we are happy with this result as it is our first match here, so I think one point is acceptable,” the talented Hanoi FC midfielder said as quoted from the-AFC.com.

Quang Hai said that his team had a successful match against UAE U23s on their group’s opening matchday on Friday. (Photo: AFC)

“I think it was a balanced game - both teams had equal opportunities to score but neither side was able to take advantage of their chances in front of the goal. So, a draw was a fair result. We are used to playing such intense and physical types of matches, this is the nature of Asian football and you have to adapt to it,” Hai added.

The draw, however, means there is no room for error against Jordan and Quang Hai said Vietnam are fully aware of this: “We need to win the next match, so hopefully the team will improve and get a positive result."

Claiming three points against Jordan is a mandatory task if Vietnam want to open the door to the next round. This is possible if Park’s side have proper tactics against their opponents. A win over Jordan will put Vietnam in a comfortable position before they take on DPR Korea in their final group game at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on Thursday.

In preparation for the important match against Jordan, Park took his players back to the training field immediately after the stalemate draw with the Emirates.

Coach Park Hang-seo wants his players to maintain top concentration for their next important match against Jordan. (Photo: VFF)

The team had their last training camp for their next Group clash behind closed doors on Sunday evening as Park wants his boys to have the highest concentration before facing Jordan.

There will also be no pre-match press brief for the second matchday of the group stage, meaning that all information about the preparation of Vietnam and Jordan is being kept confidential.

The match between Vietnam and Jordan in Group D’s second matchday will take place at 8.15 pm this evening at Buriram Stadium in Buriram, Thailand. Earlier today, at 5.15 pm, the UAE will take on DPR Korea in the other group game.