Viet Nam poised to reach final four

“I am optimistic that we will make it to the semi-finals,” said Viet Nam”s head coach Alfred Riedl during a practice session on Wednesday after their disappointing 3-2 defeat to Singapore in which they conceded two early own goals in the first half.

The loss to the Lions, who drew 0-0 in their opening game against Laos stunned Vietnamese fans who were riding high after their team”s impressive 3-1 win over Malaysia last Saturday.

“The players have recovered from the shocking loss and they have recovered their strength, which was all too obvious during their practice session today,” said Riedl, after training at the Wing 1 Stadium in Nakhon Ratchasima, north-eastern Thailand.

“I believe we will beat Laos and march on to the semis,” he said, adding that his players were determined to defeat Laos to finish top of their group.

However, the Austrian coach said Viet Nam were far from home and dry. “The players are all young and they are very vulnerable and under that pressure they could easily make mistakes,” said Riedl. “It will be a tough match against Laos,” said Riedl. “We will have to press our Lao rivals from the beginning.”

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese team have had their training sessions rescheduled following complaints from Riedl that his players were being forced to practise in the mid-day heat.

“They [the players] have recovered from that and they have all performed well during practice. They are more than ready for the Laos match.”

Riedl”s chief concern is midfielder Le Tan Tai who suffered a groin injury during the Singapore match on Monday. He was also handed a one-match ban after being sent off for elbowing a Singaporean player.

“Tai might not be fit for the Laos match but we will be fine without him and he needs rest also,” said Riedl.

Viet Nam are level on three points with second-placed Malaysia, who beat Laos 4-0. Singapore are one point ahead in first place. Malaysia lead Viet Nam on goal difference.

VNS