In the final match of the group stage of the East Championships, Singapore failed to show their talent, but they were able to gain a point against Malaysia and miraculously made it to the quarterfinals.
Although Singapore has managed to hold on against the unbeaten Malaysia, they may face a tougher challenge against the upcoming Vietnam. Vietnam swept Myanmar with an imposing 5:0 record after a five-game battle.
Vietnam's offense and defense have combined to score a whopping 11 total goals and concede only two. The team features creative players such as Nguyen Quang Hai, who can attack like fire while defending tightly.
The team has a strong squad, with the addition of Rafelson adding wings to the front line. The Vietnamese goal scorer, who scored twice on his debut for the national team in Myanmar, will be a big threat in today's match.
Singapore may replicate the tactics they used against Malaysia, starting with defense to compress the opponent's space. The counter-attack will then be launched by star attacker Annua, who is temporarily on top of the scorer's list with four goals.
The core of the midfield, Kyoya Nakamura and Shahiran, will once again play key roles in creating threats for their team's possession.
A win for Singapore at home will have a direct bearing on their chances of advancing to the final. The pitch will be tense and exciting, and the enthusiasm of the fans will add to the excitement of the match. The artificial grass will have an impact on the game, but if Vietnam can adapt quickly, I believe they have the ability to create problems for Singapore and even turn the game around.
