It is now towards the end of cool autumn in Hanoi, but it will be a hot, hot night at the My Dinh Stadium tomorrow night when Vietnam takes on Malaysia in a Group A tie of the AFF Suzuki Cup.
And for Malaysian defender Shahrul Saad, there is nothing more pleasing than to play in front of a sellout crowd as they do battle against a confident home team eager to pick up their second full points of the competition.
“I don’t think that there will be pressure for us to play here as for most of us, we are used to playing in front of big crowds and full stadium. That is what we are looking forward to,” said Shahrul.
“We played in front of a huge crowd in Cambodia and I think that we cope well.
“Vietnam have some good players and obviously, we have to play attention to a few of them. We are motivated for this match.”
Past records between Malaysia and Vietnam (from 1991 to 2016) seem to favour the home team.
Vietnam won nine games from 17 matches played while Malaysia pick up six victories.
There were only two drawn games – at the AFF Suzuki Cup matches in 2000 and also 2010.
“We have six points from two matches but I am more concerned with the performance. I think that we can play a lot better,” added Malaysian head coach Tan Cheng Hoe.
“I want the players to keep up the momentum and where it is important they play the game in the right spirit.
“Vietnam are the favourites. And they are playing at home having an extra day’s rest. So, we will have to be at our best.””
