As it is the decisive match for coach Park Hang-seo's side to claim the opportunity to go to the Round of 16, the team are keeping focused on their work for the best preparations.

After losing their first two matches, the Vietnamese team so far have not won any point at the tournament, along with the goal difference at minus 3. On paper, it is a disadvantage for Park and his players in progressing as one among the top four third-placed teams after the group stage.

At the UAE’s tournament, the top two teams in each of the six groups at the newly-expanded 24-team Asian Cup advance to the knockout rounds, with the four third placed teams with the best records also progressing.

Last night, in Group A, an injury time penalty helped Bahrain beat India 1-0 and win the first ticket to the Round of 16 as one of the best four third-placed teams. The remaining three tickets will be a fierce competition for third placed teams in Group B, C, D, E and F, but Vietnam still have a chance to advance to the knockout stage if they win three points against Yemen and score as many goals as possible.

Against strong rivals like Iraq and Iran, the Vietnamese side showed a strong will to fight. Although they have not earned a point yet, the two valuable goals scored also helped the team to have an advantage in competing for a slot among the top four third-placed teams.

Coach Park Hang-seo's side stay focused to prepare the best for their last group match against Yemen. (Photo: VNA)

Coach Park has always told his players to think positively about their chances and to regain maximum concentration in order to have the best preparation for the final match against Yemen, in which a win is a required task. This is not a mission impossible because Vietnam are quite on par with their Western Asian rivals.

The most concerning issue is the physical condition of Vietnamese players after successive tournaments and the recent strenuous efforts against the two strong rivals of Iran and Iraq. The coaching staff are striving their best to help the players restore their fitness to ensure all positions are available in the match against Yemen.

While Trong Hoang and Duc Huy, two players who had light pains in the previous match against Iran, have returned to full training with their teammates, defender Duy Manh is the unfortunate absence for Vietnam in the next match, having been suspended after receiving two yellow cards in the past two matches. It is really a problem for the coaching team to find an alternative solution for the central-back, who has always had a permanent slot in the starting lineup. Most likely, the Korean coach will drag Van Hau from the left-wing to play as a central-back, giving up the left-wing to winger Hong Duy, or using Thanh Chung as another choice for Duy Manh.

Earlier on Monday morning, the team reviewed videos of Yemen’s matches to analyse their opponents. "The coaching team have pointed out the strengths and weaknesses of Yemen. Coach Park will have plans to deal with our limitations to prepare for the next match,” defender Bui Tien Dung shared with the press before the training session.

According to Bui Tien Dung, Vietnam cannot underestimate Yemen and the opportunity for the team to progress is 50-50: "The whole team have stabilised in physique and gradually regained their best condition. The chance of the team is 50-50 because all other opponents are very strong, but we will strive to win.”

Later this afternoon, the team will have a rehearsal at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, where they will play Yemen on late January 16. Before that, Coach Park Hang-seo and a Vietnamese player will attend the pre-match press brief.