Thailand will want to maintain top spot in Group F when they travel to Vietnam for a 2018 World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.
Group F is currently headed by Thailand, who have seven points from three matches. Iraq are second on five points, with Vietnam a further point and place behind, while Chinese Taipei are bottom with no points from three games.
A win on Tuesday will further strengthen Thailand's hold in the group – it will guarantee them at least second spot -- but it will not come easy, considering the fact that Vietnam will be playing at home.
"We always remind players to keep stable and comfortable psychology ahead of every match, including in the game with Vietnam," Thailand coach Kairung Threejagsang was quoted as saying by Xinhua. "We have no pressure at all. "Thailand want to defeat Vietnam and three points is a sure thing."
Thailand are coming off a 1-0 friendly win over Hong Kong, but it is Vietnam who had the more recent competitive football, when they drew 1-1 with Iraq last week.
That was a pretty good result for Vietnam in Hanoi, proving how difficult it will be for their South East Asian rivals to pick up a positive result. Vietnam will be further encouraged to pick up a victory as it will take them level on points with Thailand in Group F.
"Thailand have beaten Vietnam in previous matches," Vietnam manager Toshiya Miura said. "I admit that they are at a higher level than Vietnam.
"I always pursue the goal of surpassing Thailand in regional games while working with Vietnamese players.
"It is difficult to predict the result of the match, but we are expecting a good result as Vietnamese players are in good psychology and we have advantages of playing at home."
Where to Watch Live
Thailand vs Vietnam is scheduled for a 7 pm local and Thailand time (5.30 pm IST, 1 pm BST) start. Viewers in Thailand can watch the 2018 World Cup qualifier live on Truevisions with the online live streaming option on Truevisions online.
There will be no live coverage of the match in India, but viewers in the Middle East and North Africa can watch Vietnam vs Thailand live on Bein Sports, while the match can also be live streamed on Bein Sports Connect.
