THE Azkals face Vietnam at the close of the group stage of the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup hoping to nail a morale-boosting victory heading into the semifinal round.
And out to lead the Azkals are three holdovers from the 2010 squad that beat Vietnam, 2-0, a victory that made the team members overnight sensations and triggered a never-before-seen enthusiasm in football.
Rob Gier and brothers Phil and James Younghusband will try to repeat that historic victory when they clash with the Vietnamese in the same Mỹ Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi starting at 8 p.m.
Gier and the Younghusbands, however, are not only expecting a big fight on the pitch but also against the stands, which is expected to be filled with 40,000 rabid Vietnamese fans.
“They’re one of the favorites in the competition,” Gier said. “With a crowd cheering for them, it’s going to be a difficult game. But we’re underdogs who don’t have to win.”
The Azkals have been waxing hot in the group stage. They beat Lao PDR, 4-1, and Indonesia, their 2010 Suzuki Cup semifinal tormentor, 4-nil, to secure a spot in the semifinals. They need at least a draw to top the stage.
Vietnam also drubbed Laos, 3-0, but drew with Indonesia, 2-2. The Vietnamese, who are running second in the stage, are also looking for a draw to sail into the semifinals.
Azkals Coach Thomas Dooley, however, prefer not to look at their two victories as a guarantee for them to beat Vietnam.
“The past games don’t mean anything anymore,” Dooley said. “Collective team effort, the strategy on how we want to play—these are the main focus. Everything else doesn’t matter.”