Central fullback Trong Phu (L) will be counted on to lockdown Thailand’s explosive striker Anut Inthachai in today’s showdown between Vietnam and Thailand

Vietnam and Thailand both want to finish atop Group A to avoid encountering mighty Iran, who leads Group B with two wins, in the semifinals at the 2nd International U.21 Thanh Nien Cup 2008.

Thailand’s U.21 squad leads the tiebreaker against Vietnam on goal differences, so it just needs a draw to stay on top. But the Vietnamese coaching staff and players are confident they will beat Thailand in the showdown at 4 p.m. today in the central town of Hue city.

Heading into the all-important match, the Vietnamese team will likely see some changes to its lineup.

First, Thanh Nam will probably replace Van Hung at goalkeeper after Hung’s poor positioning led to two goals for Malaysia in the opener.

Midfielder Nguyen Sa is nursing an injury, so the coaching staff will strategically align central fullback Trong Phu to play more upfront, while Sa’s replacement Quoc Anh moves back alongside defender Cao Cuong.

Phu’s repositioning is imperative because other Vietnamese midfielders like Thanh Hai, Thanh Tai and Van Meo tend to play better upfront supporting the strikers. They are not as good reinforcing the defenders.

In recent training sessions, Vietnam’s U.21 coaching staff have been trying to improve the newly-formed backfield combination of Anh and Cuong. Additionally, head coach Quoc Tan has been preparing his players for free kicks in a move that indicates the Vietnamese team will do whatever it takes to split the Thai defense.

The Thai players dominated in their 4-1 win over Malaysia on Monday. The team is strong in every position, as their players are in top shape and display great technical skills.

Their midfield is manned by skillful, smart and dynamic players, including Anut Inthachai, Suphaphorn Phomphinit and Wattanasupt Jarernsri.

Thailand can launch a variety of sudden attacks from the center or on both flanks. If they can break through centerfield, the team likes to rush from the left or right wings with excellent passing from left and right fullbacks Theerathon Bunmathan and Jattuphon Sitthilor.

It was Theerathon who made a beautiful cross from the left side that found striker Rachanon Sirnok, who then leveled the score in the 18th minute after the Malaysian players had taken the early lead in their clash on Monday.

Vietnam needs to minimize Thai penetration in the midfield area to be successful. Central fullbacks Anh and Cuong with support from Phu must cooperate to negate attacks from their Thai opponents.

The home team must also play under control as the Thai players are extremely good at counterattacking upon the slightest mistake. Hence, left and right fullbacks Niem Tien and Nhat Tan must be cautious at all times and shouldn’t attack often.

Up front, superb striker Duc Thien, with support from Duc Tai, Van Khaiand Phuc Hiep, can put pressure on the Thai defense and score goals. According to head coach Tan, the Vietnamese team must win. They will play defensively to stop the Thai players from scoring.

One disadvantage the Thai team will face is that they will have only one goalkeeper in Samuel Por Cunningham. Tuesday, the Thai coaching staff had striker Rachanon Sirnok practice as a goalkeeper in case Cunningham gets injured.

“We are confident we can beat Thailand,” head coach Tan said. “We are well-prepared for this clash to determine the leader of the group.”

“Both teams want to win the group, so it will be an exciting match,” Thailand’s head coach Kawin Kachendecha said. “We have an advantage over Vietnam on the goal difference tiebreaker and we will incorporate that into our playing strategy.”

Reported by Quang Huy