Vietnam U20 team train for the friendly match with Argentina on May 10. (Photo: dantri.com.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam U20 coach Hoang Anh Tuan said the upcoming friendly matchbetween his team and Argentina on May 10 will be final rehearsal for the FIFAU20 World Cup in the Republic of Korea between May and June 2017.
“Wewill play in the way we have prepared. Facing a strong team from South Americawill be a comprehensive dress rehearsal for the Word Cup,” said Tuan.
“Vietnamhave one more friendly match in the RoK but playing against Argentina at homewill be a wonderful experience,” Tuan added.
Hesaid the World Cup is a tough competition. If his players don’t get in goodphysical shape, they will struggle to perform and carry out his tactics.
Thisis why the team is training very hard in terms of physical fitness.
“Ihave a headache in terms of the team’s fitness as many players don’t play inthe national premier league, while others are overloaded. For example,midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai has played many games in the V.League 1 and AFCCup. He is tired so I have to manage him. Tough physical training will help meeliminate several players before selecting 21 out of 24 players on May 8,” saidTuan.
“Atthe World Cup, my players have to run and think a lot. France and New Zealandwill play at a high speed. We also can’t forget Honduras,” said Tuan.
“Vietnam’splayers start from a low football foundation so we have to prepare well. Firstof all, my footballers must be strong,” Tuan added.
Toprepare for the Cup, Vietnam have had a two-week training camp in Germany. Theyhad friendly matches with U21 Roda JC of the Netherland, U23 BorussiaMonchengladbach and U19 Fortuna 05 Dusseldorf.
Duringthese matches, Vietnam scored eight goals but he isn’t optimistic.
“Idon’t have any illusion that these goals will be goals in the World Cup but Iknow which players are good or weak and which points to adjust,” said Tuan.
Meanwhile,Argentina coach Claudio Ubeda announced his 21 players coming to Vietnam andtaking part in the World Cup. Among them, 19 compete in Argentina, only twoplay in Europe. There include big names Exequiel Palacios of River Plate,Ezequiel Barco of Independiente, Lautaro Martinez of Racing Club and MarceloTorres of Boca Juniors.
Argentinawill arrive in HCM City on May 8. They will meet U20 Vietnam on May 10 and thenface the U22 team two days later.
Atthe World Cup, Argentina are in Group A with hosts South Korea, Guinea andEngland. While Vietnam are in Group E with France, Honduras and NewZealand.-VNA
VNA
