Hanoi: Vietnam need just a point against Myanmar at My Dinh National Stadium on Tuesday to secure their place in the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022 semi-finals while their superior goal difference to Singapore would mean a win would almost certainly guarantee top spot in Group B.
The Golden Star Warriors began their campaign with convincing 6-0 and 3-0 wins over Laos and Malaysia respectively but they were then held goalless away in Singapore in their third game to leave them still needing a point to book their ticket to the knockout rounds.
Champions in 2018, Vietnam are the only side yet to concede in the 2022 edition and they will be strong favourites to claim their third victory in four games when they face a Myanmar team that have already been eliminated after picking up just a point from their opening three games.
While a draw would be enough for Park Hang-seo's side to progress, a solitary point would mean if there is a winner in the match between Malaysia and Singapore, Vietnam would slip to second in the standings.
So Park, in what is his final competition in charge of the Vietnamese before he steps down following five and a half years at the helm, will want to ensure his team pick up the win they need to secure top spot and thus have the advantage of playing the second leg of the semi-final in Hanoi.
Myanmar, meanwhile, were unfortunate to lose both of their first two games by the odd goal - 1-0 against Malaysia when they missed a late penalty and 3-2 against Singapore after Maung Maung Lwin had put them in front and then levelled proceedings midway through the second half.
But, with only a glimmer of hope of qualifying for the semi-finals ahead of their third match against Laos, Antoine Hey's side went a goal behind and were then 2-1 down until deep into stoppage time.
Maung Maung Lwin did rescue a point with a fantastic late free-kick with what was his third goal of the campaign but it was not enough to help his nation avoid elimination.
And the Myanmar captain, who is the tournament's joint-top scorer, will miss the trip to Vietnam through suspension after picking up his second booking of the tournament against Laos.
The last time the teams met was in Vietnam's 2018 title-winning campaign when they played out a scoreless draw in Yangon, while Myanmar have never beaten the Golden Star Warriors in the AFF Championship.
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