U19 Viet Nam team train in preparation for the match with Thailand today.— Photo news.zing.vn

HA NOI (VNS) — Midfield player Dong Trieu will not play in the Vietnamese U19 team's match with Thailand in the Southeast Asian U22 Football Championship in Brunei today.

However, French coach Guillaume Graechen is confident that Viet Nam will beat Thailand in the championship which is also known as Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy 2014.

"I have stopped experimenting since the semi-finals. The Viet Nam team with the best formation will fight Thailand," said Graechen.

"The absence of Trieu, who got two yellow cards, is unfortunate because after a long time, I have found a pair of half-backs [Trieu and Tien Dung] who co-ordinate in perfect teamwork.

"However, the training board will arrange for a appropriate replacement to help Viet Nam beat Thailand and reach the final," said Graechen.

Viet Nam, who top Group B with 10 points, is participating in the Southeast Asian U22 Football Championship with the aim of testing the line-up in preparation for the upcoming SEA U19 Football Championships and Asian U19 Football Championships' final round.

Thailand is playing today's match without having four key players who have either received yellow cards or are injured.

"I know that our rival don't have these four footballers but our team will not be influenced by that," Graechen added.

According to Thailand's head coach Somsa Pobpasert, Viet Nam are a stronger team because they have many skilled players. However, the Thai team would try their best to win the game, he said. — VNS