Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Ho Chi Minh City: AFC Futsal Championship hosts Vietnam will be hoping to bounce back immediately against Tajikistan at Phu Tho Stadium on Friday having suffered a last-gasp defeat by Iraq in their Group A opener.
Despite dominating possession, coach Bruno Garcia was left frustrated with Vietnam’s inability to convert chances on Wednesday which eventually allowed Iraq to score in the last minute to claim a 2-1 win.
But after 3,500 fans turned up against Iraq, Garcia is hoping for another good turn out from the home fans to inspire Vietnam to victory against a Tajikistan side who lost their opening game 5-0 to Kuwait.
“In our next game we will need the same high intensity, but if we want to win, we need to improve when we attack,” said Garcia, who is also boosted by the return of Dang Phuoc Anh from suspension.
“Against Iraq we needed a lot of chances to score, but we must do better at finishing those chances.
“Tajikistan have very tall players, but I need the intensity for the game to be similar. A lot of teams are not comfortable against a fast team. We want a fast game and fast play because it is best for us.”
Tajikistan, will though, be pushing for the win themselves to keep their own qualification hopes alive having finished third in their group at the previous edition in the United Arab Emirates two years ago.
“We now have a chance with two games to do better and we will try to do our best,” said Tajikistan coach Damir Kamaletdinov.
“I hope that our result against Vietnam will be better than the last.”
Kuwait coach Luis Fonseca was in the stands to watch Friday’s opponents Iraq play Vietnam heaving earlier seen his side ease to a comfortable win over Tajikistan.
“We know that Iraq are a strong team and it is going to be difficult,” said Fonseca.
"There will not be one, but two buses in front of the goal, but we have to play a strong defensive game and find a breakthrough."
The two sides played out a 1-1 draw when the two sides met in the West Zone qualifiers in December, although Iraq coach Haitham Abbas is sweating on the fitness of three players who picked up injuries in the opening game against Vietnam including Hasan Ali, who was stretchered off in the first half.
“We know that Kuwait are a good team so we must change our tactics for this game,” said Abbas, who does welcome back Amjad Kareem from suspension.
“We saw the second half of their game with Tajikistan and we know that Kuwait have expert players who have been in the World Cup.
“We have some tactics for them, but we don’t want to say at this moment."