Vietnam can defeat Singapore to advance into the semifinals if they exploit Sing’s weak defensive wall in the decisive clash today, advised to Mai Duc Chung, former assistant to coach Henrique Calisto.
Coach Mai Duc Chung
A loss to Singapore would mean elimination for Vietnam who earlier lost 2-0 to the Philippines Sunday in the previous round of group B at the Southeast Asian Football Championship or Suzuki Cup.
Singaporean defenders are not swift enough, especially in the box, and the hosts can pin on it to find goals, he said.
To do it, Vietnamese forwards and midfielders should make continuous moves to thinly stretch out the rivals’ defenses to create opportunities to convert into goals, Chung remarked.
However, the visitors are strong in physical fitness and possess advantage in their superior height, which would be better put in use when playing long and flying passes - their favorite playing styles.
To tackle this problem, Chung advised the Vietnamese team against deploying their defenders in low formation to bait for offside traps. The right positions should be about 20-30 meters away from their goal.
Besides, Vietnam should manage to score first to avoid the Singaporeans playing heavy defenses as a draw would ensure the latter a spot to the last four round.
Meanwhile, Vietnam, now with 3 points, must win at all cost since a tie means Vietnam can only advance if Myanmar defeat the Philippines. Singapore and the Philippines each have 4 points.
Vietnam routed Myanmar 7-1 in the opening round last week.
Group B Standings:
Team P W D L F A Points Philippines 2 1 1 0 3 1 4 Singapore 2 1 1 0 3 2 4 Vietnam 2 1 0 1 7 3 3 Myanmar 2 0 0 2 2 9 0
Group A Standings:
Team P W D L F A Points Indonesia 3 3 0 0 13 2 9 Malaysia 3 1 1 1 6 6 4 Thailand 3 0 2 1 3 4 2 Laos 3 0 1 2 3 13 1