Viet Nam to play out last game with pride

October 13, 2014 | 09:57

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Viet Nam will play a game of pride against China in the last group C match at the Asian Football Confederation U19 Championship in Yangon, Myanmar today.

Driven: Viet Nam Coach Guillaume Graechen says his players will strive to beat China today. - VNS Photo Tuan Tu

The Vietnamese squad were knocked out of the tournament after two losses. However, coach Guillaume Graechen promised a better result over China this afternoon.

Graechen said Viet Nam could not advance but there was a match left, and his players would strive for a victory.

The French coach said his players showed great determination and effort in their last match against Japan. They played much better there than in their first match against South Korea, 0-6, and hoped they could bring into play the spirit to beat China, who scored four points after two matches.

Discussing Viet Nam's chances, Phan Anh Tu, Ha Noi Football Federation general secretary, said the Vietnamese players were strong enough to win.

"They learned lessons from a defeat and know how to fix their mistakes in the next match. They were much better in defence and had threatening attacks," noted Tu.

"In the last match, if they protect their net and counter-attack, a victory is possible," he added.

Meanwhile, Chinese coach Zheng Xiong expressed confidence in his players, whom he described as "very smart" after one win and one draw.

Zheng apparently belittled Viet Nam, saying he had no time to watch any of their games, although China has yet to secure a quarter-final berth.

He said his team was targeting three points in this match to advance to the next round.

In the other match of the group, Japan will face defending champion South Korea.

VNS

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