SINGAPORE (8 June 2015) – Vietnam’s attacking midfielder Nguyen Cong Phuong was left out of the Timor Leste game last night for good reasons.
As Vietnam coach Toshiya Miura explained afterwards, Cong Phuong will have to be at his best especially with the big game against Thailand coming up.
“Some players have been playing a lot so we have to rotate some of them. Cong Phuon had played in the last few games although he did not start the first match,” explained Miura.
“So with the big match against Thailand coming up (on 10 June) we want to make sure that everyone have enough rest.
“We are playing so many matches within a short space and with limited number of players. So it is for that reason we want Cong Phuong to be fresh for the final game in the group.”
Even without Cong Phuong, Vietnam still proved that they are irresistible with goals from Tran Phi Son (12th minute), Mac Hong Quan (50th minute), Que Ngoc Hai (57th) and Vo Huy Tuan (61st).
The win over Timor put Vietnam and Thailand on the same 12 points from four matches played.
But Vietnam currently top Group B on superior goal difference, although who will win the group will only be decided on 10 June.
Both Vietnam and Thailand will be looking to win Group B so to make sure that they line up only the runners-up from Group A for their semi-finals encounter.
“For me, it really does not matter who we play against,” added Miura.
“I just want the team to keep on winning every match.”
FIXTURES – 8 June 2015
At Bishan Stadium
2030 – Brunei vs Malaysia
At Jalan Besar Stadium
2030 – Cambodia vs Singapore
GROUP B CURRENT STANDINGS
| No | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | VIETNAM | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1 | +15 | 12 |
| 2 | THAILAND | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | +13 | 12 |
| 3 | MALAYSIA | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | −4 | 3 |
| 4 | TIMOR LESTE | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | −5 | 3 |
| 5 | LAOS | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8 | −6 | 3 |
| 6 | BRUNEI | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 15 | −13 | 0 |
