Manila: Philippines will aim to boost their semi-final hopes when they take on a Vietnam side that has made a perfect start to ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup™ 2024 in a crucial Group B encounter at Rizal Memorial Stadium on Wednesday.
This will be the Philippines’ biggest test yet having managed just two points from their first two matches against Myanmar and Laos so far.
On the positive side, Albert Capellas’ side have come from behind in both matches with Bjorn Martin Kristensen’s penalty helping them rescue a 1-1 draw against Myanmar followed by Sandro Reyes’ effort against Laos on Sunday salvaging another point for them.
The Filipinos will be calling on their home support at Rizal Memorial Stadium as they hope to put up a good fight against a Vietnam side that has been tipped as one of the strongest title challengers this year.
Patrick Reichelt, the Philippines’ third highest goalscorer of all time, scored in Bacolod in the 2018 semi-final first leg against Vietnam and also remains as a part of the 2024 squad.
On the other hand, Vietnam have made an irrepressible start to their ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup™ 2024 campaign with wins over Indonesia and Laos in their quest for their third Southeast Asian title.
Nguyen Quang Hai netted the winner against Team Garuda in the 77th minute to spark jubilant celebrations amongst the home fans in Phu Tho, with that goal also being his first since the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar and the Vietnamese fans will hope that their captain has returned to form at the right time.
Quang Hai has also previously scored against the Filipinos in the 2018 semi-finals en route to their second title, with the Philippines dream being ended by Vietnam that year.
Both teams were in the same group in the recent FIFA World Cup Qualifiers with Vietnam winning both games, including a dramatic 3-2 win in Hanoi in which Pham Tuan Hai scored a 95th-minute winner.
Overall, the teams have met six times in ASEAN Championship history with Vietnam winning four of those but the Philippines’ only two wins against them in all competitions have come in this tournament in the 2010 and 2012 editions.
Philippines vs Vietnam
Venue: Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila
Kick-off: 18 December, 9:00 PM (Local Time)
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