VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam’s U-23 team will clash with Singapore in the opening game of the Smartdoor Cup at My Dinh National Stadium today, November 5.

Smart move: Henrique Calisto and the his players of Viet Nam's U-23 team train at My Dinh National Stadium. The team clash with Singapore in the opening game of the Smartdoor Cup today.

Meanwhile, Thailand’s U-23 team will meet China in other game of the tournament.

Coach Henrique Calisto of Viet Nam will send his 25-man squad to compete in the tournament in preparation for the Southeast Asian Games in Laos this December.

"Just one player got injured during training. We will face strong teams at the cup so I have selected my top 25 players," Calisto said at yesterday’s press conference.

"China is a giant, but Thailand and Singapore have also won the cup twice."

He also added that 22-year-old midfielder Phan Thanh Hung will play at the cup, while playmaker Pham Thanh Luong returned to training on Tuesday following a collision with a teammate last week.

The cup is also good preparation for Thailand and Singapore with them eager to win the main event – the SEA Games next month.

The Lion’s manager said Singapore will put 100 per cent into every game in order to test themselves ahead of the SEA Games.

Singapore strengthened their squad with defender Bin Jacob and midfielder’s Shafiq Ghani and Hafiz Abu Sujad, who competed in the International U-21 tournament in Binh Duong Province last month.

Although lacking five key players, Thailand will still be a tough opponent for Viet Nam in the game on Monday.

"We have had little time to prepare for the games as the Thai League finished late. Viet Nam are a strong side and beating them will be difficult", said Thailand’s assistant coach, Kiatisuk Senamueng.

Kiatisuk, who played and coached for Hoang Anh Gia Lai in the Vietnamese League, is in charge as caretaker for coach Australian Steve Darby.

However, Thailand will include their best players including Arthit Suntornphit, Jetsadakorn Hemdaeng, Suphaphorn Phomphinit and Phanuwat Jinta, who competed in the ASEAN Football Championships final against Viet Nam last December, which Viet Nam won 3-2.

Viet Nam’s footballers have never won a gold medal at the SEA Games, which were launched in Thailand in 1959.

The tournament winners will walk away with US$25,000, while the two runners-up will get a cash-prize of $10,000 and $5,000.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News

 

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