The two were back to normal training in the team’s last training session at Hanoi’s My Dinh Stadium on Friday evening, one day ahead of the final showpiece at the biggest regional football tournament.

Vietnamese players during their last training session at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi on December 14, preparing for the AFF Cup 2018 final second leg with Malaysia late Saturday evening.

Centre-back Que Ngoc Hai returned to full training with his teammates after having to practice separately a day earlier. It is known that the injury to the vice-captain is not ominous and he is likely to be named in the starting line-up this evening.

Striker Nguyen Van Toan also practiced together with the team yesterday. He may not feature in the starting 11, but his speed and technique could be important for coach Park Hang-seo’s tactics. The supersub striker always scores important goals when called on from the bench.

Drawing 2-2 at Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur in the first leg was a good result for Vietnam before they have to finish the job in the return leg at My Dinh. The two away goals are a huge advantage as Vietnam only need a 0-0 or 1-1 draw to be crowned the champions.

Having the strongest squad in hand is the basis for Park and his associates to set up a surprise for Malaysia - the team now have nothing to lose and will surely play attack at My Dinh this evening.

In the group stage, Park’s players were a better side against manager Tan Cheng Hoe’s team, as they win 2-0. In the final first leg, Park made reasonable calculations to create an advantage right at noisy Bukit Jalil with over 80,000 Malaysian fans cheering their home team.

Now, having an advantage of two away goals and the cheering from 40,000 fans at My Dinh, Park and his players are only separated from their second AFF Cup trophy by only 90 minutes.

The AFF Cup 2018 final return match will take place at 7:30 pm at My Dinh Stadium this evening.

Vietnam edge past the Philippines in AFF Cup semifinal first leg

Vietnam has put one foot in the final match of the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup after edging past the Philippines 2-1 in their semi-final first leg at Panaad Stadium in Bacolod on December 2.

 

Vietnam secure ticket to AFF Cup finals

Vietnam beat the Philippines 2-1 in the second leg of the ASEAN Federation Football (AFF) Suzuki Cup 2018 semi-finals on December 6 to advance to the finals, thanks to the 4-2 results on aggregate.

 

Thai media: Vietnam moves closer to AFF Cup championship title

Thai media ran various headlines on Vietnam’s victory over the Philippines in the semifinal return leg of the ASEAN Federation Football (AFF) Suzuki Cup 2018, saying that the team is inching closer to the championship title.

 

PM sends letter to football team ahead of AFF Cup finals

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on December 8 sent a letter to encourage the national football team before their participation in the final first leg against Malaysia in the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup 2018.

 

Vietnam-Malaysia 2018 AFF Cup Final

Vietnam and Malaysia have set up the final of the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup following their respective semifinal victories over the Philippines and Thailand. Park Hang-seo’s side will travel to Kuala Lumpur’s Bukit Jalil Stadium for the final first leg on December 11 before returning to Hanoi’s My Dinh National Stadium for the second leg four days later.

 

Source: NDO