In theory Vietnam still has a chance to reach the finals of the Asian Cup 2011 – but in reality eyes are already fixed firmly on the 25th SEA Games.

Vietnam (white) lost 1-0 to Syria last Sunday.

VN lose 1-0 to Syria at Asian Cup

The national football squad left Vietnam for Syria on November 15 with 18 players to prepare for the second-leg match against Syria on November 18. The team is without four key players: fullback Quang Thanh, goalkeeper Hong Son and midfielders Minh Phuong and Tan Tai. Without these players, a victory for Vietnam seems like a long shot.

It is very hard for Vietnam to defeat Syria before going head to head with Lebanon on January 6 2010 and China in Hanoi on March 3, 2010. So the main goal at this moment is the 25^th SEA Games in Laos this December.

At SEA Games, Vietnam will be in the group with Thailand, Malaysia, East Timor and Cambodia. It is said that only three teams Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam have the potential to reach the semi finals and Vietnam and Thailand are the two candidates for the championship.

However, the national squad’s coach Henrique Calisto said that Thailand and Malaysia are very strong rivals and he cannot predict what will happen.

VietNamNet/Tien Phong