Jakarta: Indonesia have vowed to turn in their best performance of the tournament against Vietnam as they host the first leg of the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022 semi-finals on Friday.
Both nations breezed through the group stage without losing a match but the hosts are fully aware that they'll need to take their game to another level against a dominant Vietnam side, as coach Shin Tae-yong explains.
"Vietnam are playing well and are very well organized defensively and now we're in the semi-finals there are only strong teams remaining.
"Now that we're here everybody is ready and looking forward to this match, we've evaluated what went right and wrong in the group stage and I promise that we will put in our best performance against Vietnam."
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- AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup (@affmecup) January 4, 2023
? The high-flying Garuda attack scored 1ï¸âƒ£2ï¸âƒ£ goals in the Group Stage!
? How many times will they find the back of the net in the Semi-Final?#AFFMitsubishiElectricCup2022 | #BeTheGameChanger pic.twitter.com/otXNyfFHS3
Both nations scored an even dozen goals in their four group stage outings but with the second highest tally of shots on target in the tournament, the Garuda coach is looking for an even more clinical edge at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Friday.
"I've spoken to the team about the need to finish the chances that we're creating because we've been creating plenty but not finishing them.
"In that regard I can already see the players evolving and changing."
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- AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup (@affmecup) January 5, 2023
? The Golden Star Warriors concluded an unbeaten Group Stage campaign!
? Who will be their key player in the Semi-Final?#AFFMitsubishiElectricCup2022 | #BeTheGameChanger pic.twitter.com/14cMU47KWm
There are positive reports also coming out of the Indonesia camp with Jordi Amat set to return to the side whilst goalkeeper Nadeo Argawinata is also back also back in training.
Vietnam have had a short time to prepare for the clash having had to travel down from Hanoi after their final group stage win against Myanmar on Tuesday.
That forced the side to adjust their training schedule, focussing on recovery and gym sessions, but a sharply focussed coach Park Hang-seo, in brief pre-match comments, was not ready to make excuses.
"We are fully ready for the match tomorrow and have prepared everything."
Once again it's an early kick-off in Jakarta, at 16.30 local time, before the two nations then head up to Hanoi for the second leg next Monday.
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