Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam’scoach Park Hang-seo said facing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) today wouldbe difficult, but he was confident Vietnam would come away with a win.

The match at Buriram Stadium isthe side's first of the 2020 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U23Championships finals in Thailand.

“I am honoured to lead the VietnamU23 team to take part in the AFC championship. Group D is rather difficult asit features the top teams of the continent. Vietnam aim to reach the knock-outround,” said Park at a press conference in Thailand on January 9.

“The first match with the UAEis very important and rather difficult. The UAE are a strong team, however, Vietnamwill make every effort to have the best result."

Vietnam lost to the UAE onpenalties in the bronze medal match at the Asian Games in 2018, while inqualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup last November, Nguyen Tien Linh’s strikeearned the Vietnamese side a 1-0 win.

“We know the UAE team well as Vietnamhave met them several times. There is a bit of pressure when facing themin Thailand this year but we will use the information we have learned tofind victory,” said Park.

"Vietnam are in good formand ready for the upcoming game,” Park added.

According to Park, Vietnam areconsidered one of the favourites of the tournament as they were the runners-upat the same event in 2018, but all 16 teams have an equal chance to lift thetrophy.

Meanwhile, coach Marcej Skorzaof the UAE also set a target of three points to have a good start to their goalof playing in the Tokyo Olympics this summer, despite not having theservice of key forward Mohammed Juma.

The Polish coach said his teamhad prepared carefully for the strong teams in Group D.

The UAE suffered a setback inpreparation as their key striker Juma was sent home after suffering a kneeinjury in a pre-tournament friendly.

However, Skorza said hebelieves in his squad's ability to overcome losing Juma.

Skorza also said that he knew Vietnamwould have a new way of playing, but the most important thing was that Vietnamhad a good discipline. He had high praise for Vietnam’s discipline and teamspirit.

Singaporean referee MuhammadTaqi will manage the match. The 33-year-old has beena FIFA listed referee since 2012 and has also refereed severalAFC Champions League matches.

Group leader of video assistantreferee (VAR) will be Fu Ming of China alongside two assistants Ma Ning ofChina and Tojo Minoru of Japan./.