Striker Phan Thanh Binh (C) will play alongside Vietnam’s number one striker Le Cong Vinh in the front line at the match against Malaysia in Phuket today

After losing to Thailand in the opener, Vietnam must beat Malaysia today to advance to the semifinals of the 2008 Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup.

The Portuguese coach said he had set the team’s offensive stance by putting midfielders Minh Phuong and Tai Em in behind strikers Cong Vinh and Viet Thang.

“However, the midfielders failed to make accurate passes so the Vietnamese team didn’t have clear scoring chances. I will make some changes in the next match against Malaysia,” Calisto was quoted saying Sunday.

It is likely that striker Thanh Binh will replace Thang to play alongside Vinh in attack.

For the midfield, Calisto may put Minh Chau in or move defender Minh Duc forward to support the midfielders, and put Phuoc Tu as central fullback.

The national coach talked for a long time with his players Sunday telling them to put the Thailand loss behind them and focus on the Malaysia match.

“I am doing what is necessary to minimize pressure on the players. They need to start the match with the most confidence possible. They all know they must try their best to win now.”

According to Calisto, Malaysia play in the 4-1-4-1 formation, with a lot of players in defense. Vietnam needs to take advantage of Malaysia’s midfield weakness and make more attacks from both flanks.

Malaysia also under pressure

Despite beating Laos on Saturday, Malaysia is feeling extra pressure because organizers moved their Wednesday Thailand match from Phuket to Bangkok.

Malaysia’s coach Santiananthan showed his anger at the recently announced venue change by pounding the table several times in Sunday’s press conference.

Vietnam, however, should be prepared to meet a strong Malaysian team, who were unable to play to their strengths in the clash against the counterattacking Laos.

Malaysia’s front line of Safee Sali and Bin Razak can move fast, creating spaces for veterans like Indra Putra, Hairudin Omar and Sukor to make good passes or score.

Santiananthan said Vietnam is powerful despite Saturday’s loss to Thailand. Malaysia just needs a draw against Vietnam but the Malaysian coach said it would not be easy.

Predictions

Calisto said: “I am very sad after a loss but I think Vietnam will advance to the semis. The next match will be hard because we have only one way. That is to win; and it is not easy against an opponent like Malaysia. Vietnam must be very careful. If my players make the same mistakes they did in the match against Thailand, Vietnam will bow out of the tournament early.”

Satiananthan said, “Vietnam is superior to us. In the Southeast Asian region, Thailand is number one and Vietnam must be number two. The 2-0 score between Thailand and Vietnam didn’t say much. The first goal came as the Vietnamese players were busy arguing with the referee about a free kick, and the second goal was a mistake by the goalie Hong Son.”

“I think Vietnam is better. Of course, we want to win, but it will be very hard and it is impossible to make any predictions. All will be answered after 90 minutes on the football field,” Satiananthan said.

Reported by Quang Huy-Giang Lao