Viet Nam have grounds for optimism ahead the first leg of their Group E clash against Uzbekistan today in the 2015 Asian Confederation Cup qualifiers.— File Photo

HA NOI (VNS)— Viet Nam have grounds for optimism ahead the first leg of their Group E clash against Uzbekistan today in the 2015 Asian Confederation Cup qualifiers.

To prepare for the away match., interim coach Nguyen Van Sy's players played two friendly matches, beating Qatar 2-1 and sealing an impressive 2-0 win over Qatar's most successful football club, Al Arabi.

Sy is hoping that the wins will giver his charges confidence going into the important tie tonight. After poor results in their two previous matches, both teams are in urgent need of a win to keep their realistic hopes of qualifying alive.

Uzbekistan have only one point and rank third in the group after a goalless draw with Hong Kong and a 2-1 defeat to the United Arab Emirates.

Viet Nam have performed even more disappointingly, losing both their matches to stay rooted at the foot of the table. — VNS