Viet Nam’s U23 team had their first two-hour training session as soon as they arrived in Vientiane, Laos on Saturday in preparation for the 25th Southeast Asian Games.

The team is the first from Viet Nam to arrive at the Games’ Athletes’ Village, which is 10km from the Laos capital.

Viet Nam will meet arch-rivals Thailand in the opener of the SEA Games on Wednesday, just seven days before the opening ceremony on December 9.

Thailand and Viet Nam have both been drawn into Group A, which is also comprised of Malaysia, East Timor and Cambodia. It will be a round robin format, with the two top teams qualifying for the semi-finals.

Group B will see Singapore, Myanmar, Indonesia and hosts Laos compete for other semi-final places.

All members of the U-23 team are ready for their first game against Thailand, but key player Nguyen Trong Hoang needs few days to recover from his thigh injury.

“Our players are in top form. We had three months to prepare for the SEA Games, which is the most important event for the U23 squad this year. Only Trong Hoang has not yet recovered from his injury; we have to wait to hear back from the team doctor,” Calisto told reporters at Wattay Airport in Laos.

“Viet Nam are at a disadvantage playing in the same group as Thailand and Malaysia. There will be little leeway for mistakes. We’ll try to do our best,” Calisto said.

At the Smartdoor Cup in Ha Noi last month, Viet Nam were held to a goalless draw against Thailand.

In the past 20 years, Viet Nam has gone to the final football event at the SEA Games against Thailand four times. Though they have never won.

Thailand’s U23 squad, coached by Australian Steve Darby, are still a powerhouse in the SEA Games.

As scheduled, Viet Nam will meet East Timor on Friday and have only one day off before playing Malaysia, who have two days off, on Sunday.

Viet Nam will play their last group game against Cambodia, who are managed by Scottish O’Donell.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News