Malaysian coach: 'We will not let Vietnam overwhelm'

* U19 Vietnam-U19 Malaysia: Wednesday 13 July, 15:30, Metasports.

"Vietnam is the strongest in the tournament, so we are fully prepared to face them," coach Sazali said on July 11. "I hope this time we can make full preparations and let the players play well and achieve good results against this opponent."

Malaysia is the only team that failed to maintain an unbeaten record when they reached the semi-finals. They lost 1-0 to Laos in the final round despite creating more chances. Mr Sazali wants his students to get up immediately after the stumble and sees it as a lesson against Vietnam. "Vietnam did well and we can't let them dominate the game," he said.

Malaysia reached the finals in all three of its previous races and was also crowned in Indonesia in 2018. This is also the only time this team has won the U19 championship in Southeast Asia. Vietnam have failed to pass the group stage in the past three seasons.

Vietnam have the advantage of having one more day off than Malaysia, and manager Sazali believes he will have to adjust some positions to ensure the players' physical fitness. "I don't know which players will be used in the semi-finals," he said. "But we definitely only give those who are fit the chance to play."

Vietnam and Malaysia have met 10 times in the history of U19 Southeast Asia, including seven matches in the group stage, a semi -final, a third prize and one final. Vietnam won seven, drew two and lost only one match. The two teams used to clash in the semi-finals in 2011, with a 2-1 victory for Vietnam.

Vietnam will meet Malaysia in the semi -finals at 15:30 Wednesday, on July 13, on Patriot, Bekasi. At 20:00 on the same day, Thailand played the semi -finals with Laos. If drawing after two main halfs, the teams will kick extra time and then shoot back penance.