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Metsu in Vietnam revenge mission
The UAE faces Vietnam at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi today in a crucial match in the first leg of the Asian qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup.
- By Yasir Abbasher, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:05 October 7, 2007
- UAE coach Bruno Metsu (right) issues tactical advice to his players, who face Vietnam today in the first leg of the Asian qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup.
- Image Credit: Ahmed Kutty/Gulf News
Abu Dhabi: The UAE faces Vietnam at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi today in a crucial match in the first leg of the Asian qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup.
The match is a crunch clash not only because victory is of vital importance for both teams to guarantee a positive start for their campaign, but because it was in this same venue that the UAE lost to Vietnam 2-0 on July 8, in the finals of the Asian Cup.
"Winning this match is important because it will compensate us for our unexpected defeat in the Asian Cup," Yousuf Al Sarkal, Chairman of the UAE FA, said yesterday in Hanoi.
But the match will not be an easy task for both teams as their coaches, Bruno Metsu of the UAE and Alfred Riedl of Vietnam, have all the information they want to know about the other team.
"Vietnam are not an easy team. They have improved greatly and they have defeated us three months ago, but I am optimistic about our chances in the match," Metsu said yesterday.
"We have always been a victim of bad refereeing, especially in the finals of the Asian Cup and we hope that we will not face the same unfair treatment this time."
Riedl was more humble, or more cunning, as he confessed that his team were lucky when they beat the UAE in the Asian Cup.
"We were fortunate to win the opener against reporters yesterday. But that does not mean we are scared of them in this match. Both teams have an equal chance to win the points."
Riedl expressed his admiration of UAE's Esmail Mattar. He said: "He is an outstanding player with fantastic capabilities in both creating and scoring goals. We will mark him tightly."
But Vietnam also have players of the calibre of Mattar in Le Cong Vinh, the young striker who in the past few months has led Vietnam's Olympic and senior team to glory.
Vinh scored a beautiful goal that sealed the result for his country against the UAE last July and he is capable of repeating that feat if given the chance today.
Forced changes
The absence of midfielder Abdul Rahim Jumaa and striker Faisal Khalil and the doubts about the recovery of Saeed Al Kass will force Metsu to make changes in his ideal line-up.
Mohammad Al Shehhi might take part with Mattar in attack or play just behind the strikeforce if Salem Sa'ad starts in the front line with Mattar.
Amer Mubark or Ali Abbass will play alongside Hilal Saeed in midfield, with Ahmad Dada on the right flank.
In defence it will almost certainly be Saleh Obaid, Basheer Saeed, Rashid Abdul Rahman and Hayder Allo Ali, with Majid Nasir keeping the goal.
The match will kick off at 5:30pm and will be broadcast live on both the Abu Dhabi and Dubai sports channels.
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