Viet Nam have set their sights on
reaching the final of Southeast Asia's premier football competition,
the AFF Suzuki Cup, according to coach Phan Thanh Hung.
Outstanding in their field: The national
football team trains hard
in preparation for the upcoming Southeast
Asia's premier football
competition, the AFF Suzuki Cup.
Chairman of the Viet Nam Football Federation
Nguyen Trong Hy reiterated the task before the sending off ceremony in HCM City on
Monday.
Hung said he was not feeling under any pressure, and added that Viet
Nam had prepared well
for the tournament in terms of skill, physical strength and psychology.
"Midfielder Phuoc Vinh has been ruled out of the tournament through
injury, but it shouldn't affect the structure of the team. The team is ready
for the event. I thank the fans for their support, and I hope we can live up to
expectations," said Hung.
Viet Nam
will compete in Group A alongside Thailand, Myanmar
and the Philippines,
while Group B includes Malaysia, Laos, Indonesia
and Singapore.
"Our regional rivals are getting better and better, but we know what we
have to do," said Hung.
The team will encounter Myanmar in
the Group A opener on Saturday at Bangkok's
Rajamangala Stadium, while the Group B opener will see Indonesia
challenge Laos a
day later at Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala
Lumpur.
"The match with Myanmar is
very important. It will give us a mental boost if we win," said Hung.
Hung has already announced his 23-man squad that includes striker Le Cong Vinh,
widely considered to be one of the best players in Southeast
Asia.
"There is a positive feeling around the team, and we want to bring home
the title. We've had to overcome some difficulties, but we're in good shape,
and I hope to hit form for the tournament," said Vinh.
In preparation for the event, players have been on five training camps and
played 10 friendlies, beating strong rivals including Malaysia
and Indonesia.
They left for Thailand
yesterday, Nov 20.
All of the matches will be broadcast live on Viet Nam Television.
Viet Nam
took the Cup in 2008 but disappointed in their defence of the crown two years
later.
VietNamNet/VNS