(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Rizwan Rehmat / The Peninsula
CHANGZHOU: Unbeaten Qatar are hoping their winning form and aggressive football tactics seen in the last four matches will be enough stop Vietnam in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup semi-final at Changzhou Sports Centre today.
Also today, Uzbekistan will take on Korea Republic in the second semi-final of the region's premier continental tournament for Olympic teams.
Qatar coach Felix Sanchez, who has guided his team to wins over Uzbekistan, Oman, China and Palestine in their four matches, yesterday said his team has covered all bases.
'We have watched all the games in the competition and we know how Vietnam have been playing, Sanchez said during a pre-match press conference yesterday.
'They are an organised team and they have very talented players. But we are going to try to play in our way and stop them doing what they usually do so well, he added.
'In this type of (knockout) game, the small details are going to be very important and that you can pay a big price for small mistakes, Sanchez, who guided Qatar to the 2014 AFC U-19 Championship, said.
'Hopefully, we can be effective in all the things that we know that we have to do well and be organised enough not to allow Vietnam to play to their strengths, the Spaniard added.
Vietnam's head coach Park Hang-seo yesterday admitted his team was under pressure to deliver. Vietnam finished second in Group D unlike Qatar who topped Group A with three wins.
In the quarter-finals, Vietnam held their nerve to beat Iraq on penalties.
'After our opening (group stage) game against Korea Republic, we immediately felt the pressure, Park said yesterday but quickly admitted rivals Qatar posed considerable threat.
'We know Qatar are a very strong team and that Tuesday's match is obviously key to reaching the final. Because of that, the game has equal importance for both teams, and the pressure is as much on us as it is on Qatar.
'Both myself and my players must be at our very best what is a vital game against a quality side such as Qatar, Park said.
Park said Vietnam players have done well in terms of fitness and form.
'I think that physically we will be fine, the 61-year-old, who hails from Korea Republic, said at the pre-match news conference. 'They have made a lot of effort, but my players have a terrific spirit and we will use that spirit to overcome any physical issues we may have in the game against Qatar, he said.
In the second semi-final, Uzbekistan face Korea Republic today.
Ravshan Khaydarov, the Uzbekistan coach, said his team could barely wait for the start of the semi-final.
Khaydarov's team crushed Japan in the quarter-finals to underline their intentions.
'We don't have any problems in the squad, Khaydarov said yesterday. 'All the players are ready for tomorrow's match. Physically, tactically and mentally we are ready and I hope tomorrow we will show our best football in the game, he added.
'Uzbekistan and Korea have already played four games in this tournament and we have the same condition because after four games some players are tired or have some problems, but our staff are working on it now. We have the same condition at the moment, he added.
The Koreans, who beat Malaysia in the quarter-finals stage, know Uzbekistan are a formidable unit.
'Thanks to our players we have been able to reach the semi-finals, Korea coach Kim Bong-gil said yesterday. 'From what I have seen, Uzbekistan have a good balance between attack and defence and they are a very good team.
'We have some minor injuries and the players are tired but we'll do our best and show our own style. We have had one day less rest than the opposition team, and that's not good for us, but we will focus on our strength and cover our weaknesses and in our team meeting we will work on that.
'We just have some minor injuries and we will check for the final starting list and we will prepare for the game, he said.
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