Vietnam, Malaysia to reach SEA Games semis

November 08, 2013 | 08:38

(0) user say

Yesterday, Malaysia’s coach predicted that his country and Vietnam will win the two spots to advance to the semifinals of the men’s football competition at the 27th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games next month in Myanmar.

At the drawing ceremony held yesterday, Vietnam was in group A with defending champion Malaysia, Singapore, Laos, Brunei, and the Philippines. Group B includes host Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Timor Leste.

“Both groups are equal. Group A will mainly be a competition among Singapore, Vietnam, and Malaysia, but I think Vietnam and Malaysia will advance,” said Malaysian coach Ong Kim Swee. “Meanwhile, group B will be a battle between Myanmar, Thailand, and Indonesia.”

Coach Hoang Van Phuc of Vietnam judged that the drawing results were acceptable.

“Teams in group A, including Vietnam, will play one more game than the rivals in group B. This means Vietnam should make careful fitness preparations.

“There is no big gap between national teams in Southeast Asia. Vietnam respects our opponents but will not fear them,” he added.

Regional teams, excluding Vietnam, are inclined to depend more on physical strength than strategy. Singapore and the Philippines are impressive with fitness, according to coach Phuc.

According to the competition schedule at the 2013 SEA Games, Vietnam will take on Brunei on Dec 2, Singapore on Dec. 6, and the Philippines on Dec. 10. It will go on to encounter Laos and Malaysia on Dec.13 and 15.

In the women’s football competition at the upcoming SEA Games, Vietnam was drawn in group A with the host Myanmar, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, and Timor Leste make up group B.

Tuoitrenews

What the stars mean:

★ Poor ★ ★ Promising ★★★ Good ★★★★ Very good ★★★★★ Exceptional