Vietnam-Singapore match a test for both teams ahead of AFF Cup campaign
VOV.VN - The Vietnamese national men’s football team are due to take on Singapore in their opening match of an international friendly tournament in Ho Chi Minh City on September 21 as part of both teams’ preparations for the upcoming AFF Cup 2022.
Vietnam have been placed in Group B alongside Malaysia, Laos, Myanmar, and Singapore, and they are scheduled to play Singapore on December 30, 2022.
The September 21 friendly at Thong Nhat Stadium is considered a test for both teams, although the sides won’t put out their best line-up for the tournament.
Talented midfielder Nguyen Hoang Duc is currently absent from the Vietnamese team due to injury, whilst two key Singaporean players, midfielder Song Ui Young and striker Faris Ramli, won’t feature in the fixture.
The Vietnamese team coached by veteran Park Hang-seo have yet to face Singapore at the national team level. Park had previously managed Vietnam’s U22s in a game against Singapore in the group stage of the 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in 2019.
The match three years ago proved to be a difficult experience for Vietnam with Quang Hai suffering an injury. Duc Chinh eventually scored for Vietnam in the 85th minute to record a 1-0 win.
Park noted that Singapore were bringing a strong squad of 23 to compete in the friendly tournament. As the two teams will play in the same group at the coming AFF Cup 2022, both sides will monitor and make analysis to best prepare for the regional tournament.
Singapore head coach Takayuki Nishigaya confirmed that his team have no intention of hiding their tactics and are ready to try them out in the coming friendly tournament.