Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Ho Chi Minh City: Coach Chen Yun Fa has urged his Vietnam side to create history when they take on Southeast Asian rivals Thailand in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup fifth place play-off with the final ticket to the 2015 FIFA World Cup at stake on Wednesday.
Having beaten debutants Jordan in their Group A opener, Chen’s team went down fighting in defeats to World Cup holders Japan and defending champions Australia before securing third-place in the group that ensured them a meeting with the third-placed team from Group B, Thailand.
With neither team having before made an appearance at the Women’s World Cup, the reward for victory at Thong Nhat Stadium needs no over-stating and coach Chen is determined that it will be his team that claims the ticket to the tournament in Canada next year.
“We must win because it will be a historic moment in Vietnam football. The crowd is excited and has been behind us all through the tournament giving us motivation and fighting spirit. As the hosts, myself and my team hope we will have a good result,” said coach Chen, whose squad were in attendance at Binh Duong Stadium to watch Thailand’s final group stage game with Myanmar on Monday.
“In yesterday’s game, we saw Thailand play a good match in their match against Myanmar. Their physical and tactical level was more developed than Myanmar, and they’ve played together for longer as a team and their experience showed.
“However, when they play with us I really think it will be a 50-50 game. It’s very hard to call and it’s going to be an exciting match.”
The last time the sides faced off in competitive football it was the gold medal of the 2013 Southeast Asian games at stake in December and goals from Naphat Seesraum and Anootsara Maijarern either side of half-time gave Thailand the comeback victory in the final at Mandalay’s Mandalarthiri Stadium after Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet had put Vietnam in front.
However, Chen feels that their defeat in Myanmar will have no bearing on the upcoming clash with their familiar foes, having exchanged victories throughout their footballing history.
“Although we lost the final of the SEA Games to Thailand, we meet them a lot in competitions and sometimes we win and sometimes we lose, it’s not going to influence our game tomorrow, the opportunity is equal for both sides,” added Chen.
“Having watched the Thailand team, I can say their technical ability or performance levels haven’t changed since that final, despite a change of manager since then, but I am confident that we have improved our fitness levels over the last months and hopefully we can have lots of luck tomorrow and get the result we need.”