Expected lineup for Vietnam against Singapore: Xuan Son in the starting lineup

Expected lineup of Vietnam team

With the goal of winning away from home, coach Kim Sang Sik will likely use an attacking formation while still ensuring solidity in defense.

Goalkeeper: Nguyen Filip - a player with stable performance and good reflexes, helping to increase confidence in goal.

Defense: Four familiar names including Bui Tien Dung, Pham Xuan Manh, Nguyen Thanh Chung and Le Van Vi. This quartet combines experience and youth, ensuring the ability to defend against Singapore's attacks.

Midfield: Nguyen Quang Hai, Nguyen Hoang Duc and Phan Tien Anh will continue to be important factors in controlling the midfield. Quang Hai brings creativity, Hoang Duc plays the role of regulating the tempo, and Tien Anh supports the defense and develops the ball from a distance.

Attack: Nguyen Xuan Son, Nguyen Tien Linh and Nguyen Vi Hao will be the attacking trio. Xuan Son – the brightest star of the current team – will play the central role, combining with Tien Linh as the target striker, and Vi Hao will take over the left wing with speed and technique.

Expected lineup of Singapore team

Singapore, with home ground advantage, will likely choose a formation that focuses on counter-attacking defense.

Goalkeeper: Izwan Mahbud – an experienced goalkeeper, is expected to be a solid shield against Vietnam's attacks.

Defense: Safuwan Baharudin, Lionel Tan, Nazari and Adli will be the main names, building a defensive wall to limit pressure from the away team.

Midfield: Shahiran, Syahin, Sulaiman and Najeeb will take on the task of contesting the midfield area, supporting the defense and launching long passes to create counter-attacking opportunities.

Attack: Shawal Anuar – the star leading the AFF Cup 2024 scoring list – will play highest, supported by Akeem Ramli in a deep-lying attacking role.

Match review

Singapore entered the match with the home advantage of Jalan Besar, where the artificial turf surface posed a bit of a challenge for the Vietnamese team. Coach Tsutomu Ogura's team showed solidity in defense and sharp counter-attacking ability, especially the speedy movements of Shawal Anuar.

On the contrary, the Vietnamese team is considered to be superior in terms of strength and attacking ability. Nguyen Xuan Son, with his brilliant performance in the group stage, is the biggest hope of the "Golden Star Warriors." However, coach Kim Sang Sik's students need to improve their efficiency in the first half, which has been a weakness in previous matches.

The match is expected to be a tight affair. Vietnam will likely control the ball and take the initiative in attacking, while Singapore will focus on defending and taking advantage of quick counter-attacks. If Vietnam can capitalize on their opportunities, they can gain an advantage before the return leg at home.

Score prediction: Vietnam 2-1 Singapore.