Kuching: Mongolia coach Toshiaki Imai (pictured) is hoping his team can overcome their lack of experience to pick up the draw they need against Laos on Wednesday to advance to the semi-finals of the AFC Solidarity Cup Malaysia 2016.
The teams are tied on three points each and go into their final Group B game, fighting for second spot behind already-qualified Macau, with the Mongolians holding a slight advantage.
Their 2-0 win over Sri Lanka on Sunday, thanks to a pair of penalties by Nyamosor Naranbold, means a draw will be enough for the East Asian side due to their superior goal difference over the Laotians but coach Imai knows his players’ lack of international exposure could be an issue.
“At this tournament we have a good opportunity to play international matches,” said the Japanese coach.
“We won the game against Sri Lanka and we that means we have a little bit of an advantage over Laos, but our players have only got a little experience, so in the next game I hope we will win because our players have time to prepare.
“Our players’ performance has not always been good but if they play well we will progress and the next game is a very big game for us.”
Laos were surprise 4-1 losers against Macau on Sunday despite taking an early lead against the Macanese side before a brace from Nicholas Torrao, the tournament’s top scorer, helped the Macau notch up their biggest win in recent seasons at international level.
The margin of defeat has left Laos, who won their opening match of the tournament against Sri Lanka, needing to win against Mongolia to book their berth in the last four, but coach Valakone Phomphakdy is confident his team are good enough to pick up the three points required to stay alive in the competition.
“In the next game I hope we can qualify against Mongolia,” he said. “I saw them play in the first game and we can fight with them.
“When we compare them with our team, I think we have a chance and I’m sure we can go through.”
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