Vietnam to go all-out against Thailand in last match

KUALA LUMPUR: Vietnam will go all out to secure a victory against Thailand in their last group B match in the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games (KL2017) men’s football competition at the Selayang Stadium on Thursday.

Head coach Nguyen Huu Thang said his side would not play for a draw since Thailand and also Indonesia have an equal chance to progress to the semi-finals.

“It would be a tough task ahead for our team as all three top teams in group B have an equal chance to advance to the last four and our fate will be decided in the last group match.

“Therefore, I would not take the risk and we will prepare the best players to face Thailand and I hope to get a positive result,” Nguyen told reporters after his team’s match against Indonesia at the Selayang Stadium Tuesday night which ended in a goalless draw.

Vietnam and Thailand share 10 points after playing four matches while Indonesia are in third place with eight points.

Earlier, Thailand had defeated the Philippines 2-0 at the Selayang Stadium to keep alive their hopes to advance to the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s head coach, Luis Milla believed his charges still have a chance to progress to the semi-finals despite sharing the spoils with Vietnam.

The 51-year-old Spaniard also praised his players who put up a stiff competition despite playing with 10 men in the second half after Hanif Sjahbandi picked a second yellow card for elbowing the face of a Vietnamese player in the 62th minute.

“The boys put up a splendid performance throughout the second half despite we playing with 10 men and we know that we have to score big against Cambodia if we want to stay in this competition,” Milla told via an interpreter.

Indonesia must defeated Cambodia with a huge goal margin while hoping Vietnam will lose in their match against Thailand to progress to the semifinals. – Bernama