Singapore coach is proud to draw against Vietnam

Singapore no longer has a chance to advance, because Yemen beat Guam 5-1 in the previous match at Viet Tri Stadium. However, Coach Nazri's students still played with the highest spirit to equalize Vietnam twice.

"I told the students to show fighting spirit," coach Nazri said. "We are proud of this result, because Vietnam is stronger and can play at home."

In the previous meeting, Singapore lost 1-3 to Vietnam in the group stage of SEA Games 32. The last time U23 Singapore drew with Vietnam was a friendly match in 2010 with a score of 0-0.

Coach Nazri commented that Vietnam holds the ball well and attacks well on both sides, so his team must try to stop it. The opposite solution is to counterattack when they have an agile striker. The result was recorded in the 85th minute when Farhan Zulkifli dribbled the ball at speed and passed it to Zikos Vasileios to finish facing goalkeeper Van Binh to equalize 2-2.

Vasileios said he did not continue, but each member gave their all against the top team in Southeast Asia. "We have nothing to regret," he said. "The team showed that it can face strong opponents like Vietnam."

Singapore finished the 2024 Asian U23 qualifying round in third place in Group C with two points. Previously, they drew 1-1 with Guam and lost 0-3 with Yemen. Vietnam ranked first in the group with seven points, while Yemen ranked second with one point less.