Vietnam and tournament-favorite Japan are eager to meet one another at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-19 Championships in China after both of them secured victories in the opening match day on Monday.
Vietnam, who overturned the initial score to defeat Jordan 2-1, will stage a low formation to counter-attack Japan -- who advanced six times to the regional U-19 tournaments, said Vietnamese coach Trieu Quang Ha.
“I watched the tape of Japan winning against the United Arab Emirates 2-1 and realized that they are strong with swift attacks along the two wings”, he said.
Vietnam can play a leveled game with Japan (to start at 7:30 GMT Wednesday), he added.
Vietnam will switch from 4-4-2 to 3-5-1 formation while facing Japan, with two central defenders Anh Quang and Tien Duy, according to the coach. Three midfielders Hoang Thinh, Huu Dinh and Hai Huy will cover the middle area to make up a second defensive wall.
Ha is also confident that his U-19 players have good athletic form and height to compete against the rivals.
The Vietnamese U-19 team is one of 16 out of 38 Asian national teams to pass the qualifying round in November of last year.
The Asian U-19 event is held every two years.
