Vietnam coach says strategies in place for UAE

In the pre-match interview on Monday, he said: "We won 1-0 against the UAE in the first leg, but now the situation is different. Their tactics and skills have gone up a level. It’s going to be a tough game. I don’t want the players to think that they only need a draw.

"UAE have three strong attackers, plus home advantage. We will have to work our way through this match."

It is going to be the classic irresistible force vs immovable object scenario on Tuesday night: Vietnam have conceded the fewest goals in the group and UAE have scored the most.

Park said, "UAE are not the team with the greatest firepower because we have played Iran and Iraq before.

"But we don’t have the most solid defense. We have drawn up various strategies for this game."

He will not coach Vietnam for this game due to a suspension.

"My assistant will improvise based on the situation on the field. He is capable of doing my job in this game."

Assistant coach Lee Young-jin, Park’s right hand man since 2017, will lead Vietnam.

The game, to be played at Zebeel Stadium, Dubai, will kick off at 11:45 p.m. Hanoi time and will be reported live on VnExpress International.