The match at Buriram Stadium is the side's first of the 2020 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U23 Championships finals in Thailand.

“The first match with the UAE is very important and rather difficult. The UAE are a strong team, however, Vietnam will make every effort to have the best result."

Vietnam’s coach Park Hang-seo (second left) and coaches of Group D teams at the press conference in Thailand on January 9.

Vietnam lost to the UAE on penalties in the bronze medal match at the Asian Games in 2018, while in qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup last November, Nguyen Tien Linh’s strike earned the Vietnamese side a 1-0 win.

“We know the UAE team well as Vietnam have met them several times. There is a bit of pressure when facing them in Thailand this year but we will use the information we have learned to find victory,” said Park.

"Vietnam are in good form and ready for the upcoming game,” Park added.

According to Park, Vietnam are considered one of the favourites of the tournament as they were the runners-up at the same event in 2018, but all 16 teams have an equal chance to lift the trophy.

Meanwhile, coach Marcej Skorza of the UAE also set a target of three points to have a good start to their goal of playing in the Tokyo Olympics this summer, despite not having the service of key forward Mohammed Juma.

The Polish coach said his team had prepared carefully for the strong teams in Group D.

The UAE suffered a setback in preparation as their key striker Juma was sent home after suffering a knee injury in a pre-tournament friendly.

However, Skorza said he believes in his squad's ability to overcome losing Juma.

Skorza also said that he knew Vietnam would have a new way of playing, but the most important thing was that Vietnam had a good discipline. He had high praise for Vietnam’s discipline and team spirit.

Singaporean referee Muhammad Taqi will manage the match. The 33-year-old has been a FIFA listed referee since 2012 and has also refereed several AFC Champions League matches.

Group leader of video assistant referee (VAR) will be Fu Ming of China alongside two assistants Ma Ning of China and Tojo Minoru of Japan.

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After the consecutive great successes under the helm of coach Park Hang-seo in the last two years, Vietnam are being highly praised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) as one of the top contenders for the 2020 AFC U23 Championship title.

Hai’s goal selected as iconic strike at AFC U23 Champs

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Vietnam’s Group D fixtures at 2020 AFC U23 Championship

The grouping of teams for the 2020 AFC U23 Championship has recently been confirmed, with reigning runners-up Vietnam placed in Group D alongside the DPR Korea, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Vietnam in Group D of 2020 AFC U23 Championship’s finals

Vietnam’s U23 football team will be in Group D of the 2020 AFC U23 Championship’ finals, together with the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, following a draw held in Thailand on September 26.

Source: VNA