Thanh Luong will probably score against Laos in today’s match at Sarakul Stadium

Monday’s 3-2 win over Malaysia eased the pressure on Vietnam’s national football team, lifting hopes they will be able to beat Laos to earn a berth in the semifinals of the 2008 ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup.

If Thailand beats Malaysia, as expected, Vietnam will only need to draw with Laos to advance to next week’s semifinals.

Lao coach Saysana Savatdy said, “Vietnam is as strong as Thailand, so it will be extremely hard to beat them. We will be forced to play counterattack to minimize their strengths to wait for our chances.”

“However, we consider this tournament an opportunity for our young players to gain experience to prepare for the 25th Southeast Asian Games in Vientiane next year, so I will let my players play comfortably. We hope to score one goal before bowing out of the regional competition,” Savatdy said.

It should be remembered that Laos caused a lot of trouble for Vietnam in the 24th SEA Games in Thailand last year. They took advantage of mistakes made by Vietnamese defenders to score one goal. Vietnam only won 2-1 thanks to a goal by striker Phan Thanh Binh.

Vietnam will use its best players

At a press conference Tuesday, the Vietnamese team coach Hendrique Calisto said, “I will certainly put in the best players I have, not a second-rate team, because I want to win.”

“It is true that my players made some mistakes in the past two matches, but we can’t deny they played beautifully at times. The problem is they were not pleased with the way the referees controlled the matches and players lost their tempers. I have talked to them and advised them to calm down.”

“My players need to start the match against Laos with confidence but they shouldn’t think they are superior. Mistakes will lead to a loss,” Calisto said.

It is unlikely Calisto will make more than two changes to the team that beat Malaysia.

If Malaysia beats Thailand 2-0, Vietnam will have to defeat Laos 5-0 to advance to the semifinals. Asked whether this scenario was possible, Calisto said it would be the biggest surprise of this year’s tournament if Malaysia won the match.

But he said his players would try their best to beat Laos.

“I don’t look down on Laos, but I believe my players will know how to overcome difficulty and go further into the tournament,” Calisto said.

Calisto needs to find a way to help his players score in tomorrow’s game. Strikers Cong Vinh and Viet Thang are not in form and didn’t play well together in the past two matches. A fatigued midfielder Phan Van Tai Em will probably not play in the match.

Reported by Quang Huy - Giang Lao