Phu Tho: A place in the Final of the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup™ 2024 is at stake when Vietnam will host Singapore in the Semi-Final 2nd Leg on Sunday at the Viet Tri Stadium.
The Golden Star Warriors hold a 2-0 lead after a win away from home in the first leg, with Nguyen Tien Linh and Nguyen Xuan Son netting deep into second-half stoppage time to secure a crucial advantage heading into the return leg.
Xuan Son was once again impressive, first winning the penalty and then sealing the win himself, having now scored three goals in his first two international matches for the Vietnam national team while Do Duy Manh came on in the second half and kept things in check at the back.
Kim Sang-sik’s boys have been flawless playing at their new home, the Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho province in Northern Vietnam for this tournament winning both matches against Indonesia and Myanmar, scoring six goals along the way and yet to concede at the venue.
Despite the uphill battle, Singapore head coach Tsutomu Ogura remains optimistic of his team’s chances as he stated that they will be leaving it all out on the pitch in a bid to reach their first final since 2012.
With a very tight schedule between both legs of the semi-final, the Japanese tactician wasted no time in getting his side back to work, with the players not involved in the first leg taking to the pitch of the Jalan Besar Stadium immediately after full time.
One good news in the Lions camp will be the return of midfielder Kyoga Nakamura, with the playmaker watching from the sidelines and after serving his suspension is straightaway expected to slot back into the starting lineup.
The 28-year-old, who plies his trade for BG Tampines Rovers, is determined to make an impact and has spoken about the fact that the Lions will channel their frustrations from the first leg into the momentum needed to overturn the deficit in the second leg.
Singapore took to the pitch once again upon arrival in Phu Tho on Saturday familiarising themselves with the pitch and weather conditions, while plotting how to stop a potent Vietnam attack.
The four-time champions will take inspiration from their 1998 title triumph when they defeated Vietnam in Hanoi, and being able to replicate those heroics once again will be nothing short of extraordinary against a Vietnam side in relentless pursuit of their third title.
Vietnam vs Singapore
Venue: Viet Tri Stadium, Phu Tho
Kick-off: 29 December, 8:00 PM (Local Time)
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