Vietnam Aiming to Reclaim Glory in ASEAN Championship

HÀ NỘI -- New skipper Đỗ Duy Mạnh has asserted Vietnam’s fierce ambition for triumph in their Group B opener against hosts Laos at the ASEAN Cup today in Vientiane. The veteran defender is stepping up as captain for the first time in his career, flanked by two deputies - midfielder Nguyễn Quang Hải and striker Nguyễn Tiến Linh. "It's both a great honour and a daunting challenge for us. We must demonstrate our skills, prestige, and sense of duty, fostering a strong connection between the coaching staff and the players," stated Mạnh. "As we approach this tournament, we must perform excellently, striving to recreate our victorious journey from 2018." The 28-year-old Hà Nội FC stalwart indicated that Vietnam has poured significant time and effort into preparations for this regional spectacle. "We had a strategy session today and reviewed video footage of Laos. Coach Kim (Sang-sik) shared his tactical philosophy with us and analysed the Lao style of play," added Mạnh. "We understand that regional football has made tremendous strides. All teams are bolstering their strength, so we must remain focused throughout the matches to achieve our desired outcomes." Historically, Vietnam has clashed with Laos three times, emerging victorious on each occasion and netting 11 goals without conceding. In 2018, Vietnam secured a resounding 3-0 victory, a promising kickoff that they hope to replicate in this tournament. For the hosts, captain Bouphachan Bounkong expressed their determination: "We are gearing up for the match against Vietnam with complete dedication and focus," he remarked. "Vietnam is one of the premier teams in Southeast Asia. We've scrutinized numerous videos to analyse their gameplay. We're prepared; while we can't predict the outcome, we will give our utmost effort." The 24-year-old midfielder brings valuable experience, having participated in the recent AFF Cups where Laos suffered defeats against Vietnam. "Vietnamese players are exceptional, primarily due to the high quality of their domestic leagues. This year, they also have a naturalised player. We are aware of Nguyễn Xuân Sơn, who possesses impressive scoring abilities," noted Bounkong, who scored for Laos in a 1-1 draw with Thailand in November. In a significant development for the ASEAN Football Federation, FIFA has confirmed that the ASEAN Cup will now be classified as a level A event within the global governing body's competition framework starting this year. This elevation means that the 28-year-old tournament is recognized at the same level as World Cup qualifying matches and other prestigious continental tournaments. Teams will now have the flexibility to call up their top players without reliance on club commitments; however, this year's player selections have already been finalized. Nonetheless, performing well in the Cup could grant teams points to boost their world rankings, while poor performances may result in penalties in ranking points.