Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese gamers have been making ready
effectively in each phrases of physique and spirit for the robust nineteenth Asian
Video games (ASIAD) event in Hangzhou, China, with the primary match in opposition to
Mongolia.
The Vietnamese group will play Mongolia on September 19, adopted
by matches in opposition to Iran on September 21 and Saudi Arabia three days later in
Group B.
Whereas Mongolia are a lot decrease than Vietnam, No 95, within the
world rating, Saudi and Iran are among the many strongest groups in Asia.
The Vietnamese gamers arrived in Hangzhou on September 17 and
that they had first coaching for the event on the Zhejiang College of
Finance & Economics East Athletics’ Stadium.
“We had an extended drained journey from Hanoi to Hangzhou however we
are having fun with the resort’s facility, scrumptious meals and funky climate,” stated
coach Hoang Anh Tuan.
“My gamers have skilled a global competitors
atmosphere after participating within the 2024 Asian championship qualifier and the
FIFA Days’ match. Now, what we do is to remind them concerning the that means and
significance of this event.
“Along with the career, we’ve to assist gamers’
mentality, a job that we’ve completed for the reason that AFF U23 Championship final month.
“In such a brief interval, we will not do all the things completely.
Our teaching board is aware of that and we’ll flexibly repair our issues. In my
opinion, my gamers are in good health and the most effective spirits. They’re prepared
for this problem.”
Tuan dropped at China 22 gamers, 17 of them are underneath 21 and two
are over 23. At a median of 20.3 years previous, Vietnam are the youngest
group amongst 4 Southeast Asian sides certified for the Video games.
Requested concerning the first rivals, Tuan, who guided Vietnam to the 2017
U20 World Cup, stated Mongolia, world No. 183, had been the weakest group within the
group however he really couldn’t consider their actual energy. He simply requested
gamers to be centered. A win over them would give Vietnam a greater probability to
advance to the subsequent spherical.
The Mongolian group primarily contains gamers who competed in
the Asian qualifier final month. Their finest recognized is midfielder Tsogtbayar
Batbayar who’s competing for Leutschach FC in Austria.
Within the Asian qualifier, Mongolia did not progress from the
group stage after two losses and one draw.
The second rival of Vietnam is world No. 22 Iran who’re sturdy in
each health and method together with good physique stature.
After the Asian qualification defeat, Iran made an enormous change in
their line-up to ASIAD. Solely seven gamers of the previous group remained.
Coach Reza Enayati known as up many gamers together with common
members of the nationwide senior group reminiscent of midfielders Yasin Salmani
and Mohammad Khodabandelo and defender Saman Falah.
He additionally added two over-23 gamers, ahead Arsalan Motahari and
goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini.
Motahari has performed greater than 100 matches within the home league
whereas Hosseini has been capped by the nationwide group 9 occasions. He performed
on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Saudi Arabia, world No. 54, got here to China with the goal of
a trophy. The most effective gamers have been chosen and ready for the
event for six months.
The group made a formidable efficiency on the Asian qualifier
that gave them a spot within the finals the place they’ll defend their title.
Amongst their highlights is ahead Khalil Nasser who
performs for Al Nassr FC. In the identical entrance line as tremendous star Cristiano
Ronaldo, he scored three objectives final season.
Different notable gamers are midfielders Yahya Salem, Saad
Al-Nasser, Musab Al-Juwayr and ahead Abdullah Radif.
Within the earlier ASIAD in 2018 in Indonesia, Mongolia didn’t
compete. Iran had been eradicated from the spherical of 16. Saudi Arabia had been ousted
within the quarter-finals. Vietnam made the semi-finals, their best-ever consequence
in historical past./.