Equal chances for Vietnam and Thailand at SEA U-22 football event

The head coaches of the national U-19 football teams of Vietnam and Thailand admitted that they are holding equal chances in their semifinal clash today at the Southeast Asian U-22 Football Championship, or Hassanal Bolkiah Cup, in Brunei.

Both teams have some key players missing the match because of injuries and suspensions.

Vietnam, as the head of group B of the tournament taking place from August 8-23, will miss its star defender Dong Trieu for receiving two yellow cards in two consecutive games.

“The absence of Dong Trieu is regretful since he is a part of my favorite starting formation,” said the French coach Guillaume Graechen of Vietnam. “I must find a replacement for the post.”

The coach admitted that he may change his favorite formation.

In a move to turn away the disadvantage, the coach of Vietnam called on his players to fight for a win over Thailand in the semis to present it as a gift on the occasion of the birthday of Dong Trieu on August 20.

“It will be the most valuable birthday gift for him to be able to play in the final game,” he said.

Vietnam should be able to control the midfield area well and block access from the two wings to prevent flying balls into the box, since Thai players have the advantage in height and physical fitness and so are more dangerous in playing the high balls, according to coach Graechen.

For the Thai side, four of their players, including the key midfield duo of Patipan Pinsermsootsri and Nopphon Phonkam, will miss today’s clash because of injuries and suspensions.

Thai coach Sasom Pobprasert was reserved in his statements ahead of the decisive match, “A disadvantage is that we have only five days to rest before this match, my team is facing personnel troubles too.

“Vietnam is a strong team. I think the chances for both sides at the match are equal.”

Thailand has excellent players as striker Chenrop Samphaodi, midfielder Montree Promsawat, while Vietnam has trademark striker Tuan Tai and midfielders Xuan Truong, Cong Phuong, and Tuan Anh.

Both strikers Samphaodi of Thailand and Tuan Tai of Vietnam have scored four goals each at the tournament.

At the Southeast Asian U-19 Football championship in 2013, Vietnam beat Thailand 3-2.

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