Vietnam and Thailand 'double losers' due to tricks of SEA Games 29 host

(Baonghean.vn) – According to football expert Trinh Minh Hue, the fact that host Malaysia scheduled Vietnam to face Thailand in the final match revealed their intention to make things difficult for their opponents.

Initially, the SEA Games Organizing Committee sent the expected match schedule to the member federations. Specifically, U22 Vietnam was scheduled to play the 3rd match against U22 Thailand, the 4th match against U23 Indonesia and the final match against U22 Philippines.

U22 Vietnam will have to overcome 5 fierce matches in the group stage before being able to meet Malaysia in the semi-finals - Photo: Hoai Hoan

However, according to the final match schedule that has just been finalized, U22 Vietnam will face East Timor (August 15), Cambodia (August 17), the Philippines (August 20) and Indonesia (August 22). In the final match of the group stage, coach Nguyen Huu Thang and his team will face a strong opponent U22 Thailand in the final match at Selayang Stadium at 3:00 p.m. on August 24.

Football expert Trinh Minh Hue commented: “According to the schedule, it can be seen that the journey of coach Huu Thang and his team at the 29th SEA Games will gradually become more difficult and the match with Indonesia can be considered the deciding factor for the ticket to the next round of U22 Vietnam. This clearly shows the strategic intention of host Malaysia in changing the match schedule.

In my opinion, Malaysia's calculation is to be in the same group with Thailand. Vietnam will meet them in the semi-finals after losing to Thailand, they are already stressed and have lost their form. In case Vietnam wins against Thailand, Thailand will be at a disadvantage like Vietnam.

Thailand and Vietnam have shown their full potential in terms of expertise, fitness, form, injuries, cards, etc. by the fifth match. And then they will have an easier time deciding whether to win first or second place in the group. With home field advantage, the Organizing Committee favoring them and not being too strict with them, Malaysia believes that this will be the key to solving and succeeding in men's football at the SEA Games."

Tonight, U22 Vietnam will go to Korea for a 10-day training session to prepare for the 29th SEA Games. During the training session, the team is expected to have two friendly matches against Mokpo City Club (August 5) and Busan Club (August 8). This will be the last chance for the players to show their abilities, because before entering the tournament at the 29th SEA Games, head coach Nguyen Huu Thang will finalize the list to 20 players.

As planned, after finishing the training session in Korea, at noon on August 10, 2017, the whole team will fly straight to Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia.

Trung Kien