Singapore - Vietnam: Tuan Anh, Van Quyet in the starting lineup

Chau Ngoc Quang plays in the main tournament for the first time

The 26-year-old midfielder made his first start and played in a major tournament for the Vietnamese national team. He was on the bench in the first two matches but was not used. Ngoc Quang contributed significantly to Hai Phong's second place finish in the 2022 V-League, which helped him be called up to the national team.

Starting lineup

Singapore: Hassan - Shakir, Ryhan, Irfan, Van Huizen - Anumanthan, Shahdan, Hariss, Shah - Faris, Ilhan.

Vietnam: Van Lam - Van Thanh, Thanh Binh, Ngoc Hai, Tien Dung, Hong Duy - Ngoc Quang, Tuan Anh, Hung Dung - Van Quyet, Tuan Hai.

Coach Park changed eight positions compared to the victory over Malaysia on December 27. Only three players were retained in the starting lineup: Van Lam, Ngoc Hai and Hung Dung.

Meanwhile, coach Takayuki Nishigaya only made three changes, with 38-year-old goalkeeper Hassan Sunny starting in place of Zaiful Nizam. Ryhan Stewart and Irfan Fandi started in place of Hafiz Nor and Shawal Anuar.

Vietnam and Singapore have the most players in the two AFF Cups

Comparing the squads for the 2022 and 2021 AFF Cup, Singapore and Vietnam are at the top with 17 and 16 players respectively. Malaysia has the fewest players playing in both tournaments, with only six, while Thailand is behind with seven.

At the 2021 and 2022 AFF Cup, each team is allowed to register 23 players for the entire tournament. The seven Vietnamese players who will not play at the 2021 AFF Cup are goalkeeper Dang Van Lam, Nguyen Van Toan, defender Doan Van Hau, midfielders Do Hung Dung, Chau Ngoc Quang, Nguyen Van Quyet and striker Pham Tuan Hai.

According to VnExpress