Vietnam hope to top Group A of the 2014 Southeast Asian Football Championship by defeating the Philippines in their last group stage game later this week, Japanese coach Toshiya Miura said after battering Laos at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi on Tuesday.

The Vietnamese crushed their Lao rivals 3-0, with the goals scored in the 28th, 85th, and 88th minutes.

Vietnam, who have earned four points after a win and a draw, will clash with the Philippines, with six points at the top, on home soil this Friday.

“I don’t care about the Filipino formation in the coming encounter but I predict that it will be a tough game for both,” said Miura.

“The top priority in my mind now is to advance to the semifinals, and my next priority is to sit atop the group,” he added.

With the Philippines already advancing to the last-four round after two wins, the other ticket for Group A will be taken by either hosts Vietnam or Indonesia, who will face already-eliminated Laos on Friday.

The Filipinos smashed Laos 4-1 on Saturday and routed Indonesia 4-0 on Tuesday.

The Indonesians currently have one point after a 2-2 draw with Vietnam on Saturday and the loss to the Philippines. Laos have suffered two losses.

Vietnam, with a goal difference of 5/2, has a better chance to advance than Indonesia, with 2/6. With just a draw with the Philippines, Vietnam will move on regardless of the result of the game between Indonesia and Laos.

Indonesia can book a spot in the semis only if they beat Laos by four goals and Vietnam lose to the Philippines by at least four goals.

The 2014 Southeast Asian Football Championship, or AFF Suzuki Cup, is taking place in Vietnam and Singapore from November 22 to December 20. Group B features Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and hosts Singapore.

Source TTN