Vietnam team vs Laos team: Will the defending champion's strength be shown?

Laos is not highly rated in Group B, however, this team wants to make a surprise in the AFF Cup 2020, especially creating a shock in the opening match against defending champion Vietnam.

Reality,Coach Park Hang-seohas the utmost respect for the Laos team. Mr. Park admitted that he does not have much information about his opponents. In addition, coming to the AFF Cup with a squad of many young players, Laos is truly an unknown.

Billy Ketkeophomphone is the most notable star of the Lao national team. The striker has played for many years in France's Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 and promises to bring a difference to the attack of the team from the land of a million elephants.

Laos team determined to cause a surprise. Photo: Hai Hoang

Besides, Soukaphone Vongchiengkham, nicknamed "Lao Messi", is also highly anticipated at the AFF Cup 2020. This striker said he is confident of scoring against the Vietnamese team to help Laos get points.

In general, the Vietnamese defense needs to be vigilant against the above dangers. However, Que Ngoc Hai and his teammates certainly have plenty of experience and courage to deal with them.

The problem for the Laos team is that they have not played an official match since the end of 2019. Coach V. Selvaraj was appointed 2 months ago to prepare for the AFF Cup 2020.

The Vietnamese team entered the AFF Cup 2020 campaign with the mindset of the defending champion. Photo: Hai Hoang

The Vietnamese team entered the AFF Cup 2020 campaign with the mentality of the defending champion. Although coach Park Hang-seo and his team have just suffered 6 consecutive losses in the final qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup in Asia, looking at the positive side, Quang Hai and his teammates have achieved many results.

Compared to regional rivals, the Vietnamese team has the opportunity to compete with the strongest teams in the continent such as Japan, Australia, China, and Saudi Arabia. This is a huge advantage before the Vietnamese team enters the AFF Cup 2020.

Will coach Park Hang-seo use his strongest lineup or save his key players for the match against Laos? Photo: Hai Hoang

Against Laos in the opening match, the only goal of the Vietnamese team is to win all 3 points. However, the question is whether coach Park Hang-seo will use the strongest squad or let some key players rest?

Looking back at the journey to the AFF Cup 2018 championship, it can be seen that coach Park often had personnel changes in matches against "tough" opponents, and this will likely be repeated in this year's tournament.

Coach Park may have given some key players a break, but that doesn’t mean the strength of the Vietnamese team has been diminished. The players the Korean strategist brought to Singapore are all capable, combative, and eager to show off.

Vietnam team determined to win all 3 points. Photo: Hai Hoang

In terms of playing style, it is clear that the Vietnamese team is in a superior position and will attack, even strike first to score an early opening goal, creating a mental advantage.

The Vietnamese team needs a good win to relieve their psychological stress after a series of recent bad matches, thereby having a favorable start for the AFF Cup 2020 campaign.

It should be recalled that the opening victory against Laos 3 years ago at the AFF Cup 2018 helped coach Park Hang-seo and his team advance straight to the championship after 10 years of waiting.

Expected lineup of Vietnam team:

Tan Truong, Duy Manh, Que Ngoc Hai, Thanh Chung, Van Thanh, Hong Duy, Tuan Anh, Hoang Duc, Quang Hai, Phan Van Duc, Tien Linh.