Vietnam plot another giant-killing

Hanoi: When hosts Vietnam face Qatar in today's Asian Cup Group B match, it will once again be the story of David and Goliath.

The Vietnamese, who proved to be giant-killers in their opener against the more fancied UAE, know winning today's match will put them on the brink of realising their dream of a place in the quarterfinals.

Qatar, on the other hand, also know that victory will strengthen their chances of reaching the second round after their 1-1 draw with reigning champions Japan.

Both teams will have to work hard to win the match, despite the fact they will apply different plans to achieve their goal.

Vietnam will rely on their usual style of consolidating their backline and organising fast counter attacking moves to break through to their opponents, while Qatar will apply a 4-4-2 formation which turns into 4-3-3 when in possession of the ball.

The two teams have a number of highly talented players.

Sebastian Soria has proved to be the star man for Qatar with assistance from Wesam Rizg and Majdi Siddig, while Le Cong Vinh and Phan Thanh Binh will lead the host's attack after tasting success in their opening match.

Soria, the scorer of the equaliser against Japan, is a Uruguay-born striker who plays for Qatar FC, born in 1983. The striker has already scored 20 goals for his adopted country since being naturalised last year. His first participation for Qatar was in the 2006 Asian Games where he won a gold medal.

Vinh and Binh were part of Vietnam's Olympic under-23 team which won promotion to the second round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Vinh was born in 1985, while Binh is one year younger. They play for Song Lam Nghe An club and Dong Thap club respectively and represent the future of football in a nation where soccer is on the rise.

Vietnam, the team Fifa rank lowest in the group, realise with determination and fighting spirit they can compensate for the vast difference in Qatar's preparation and international experience.