Consisting of three goalkeepers, eight defenders, six midfielders and four strikers in total, the squad will face its first rivals from the Philippines in Group B at the Gelora Stiwijaya Stadium in Palembang on November 3.

Other group teams include Laos, Brunei, East Timor and Myanmar.

Despite his worries regarding injured defenders Nguyen Thanh Long Giang and Bui Xuan Hieu and forward Hoang Dinh Tung, chief coach Falko Goetz remains confident of positive results.

“While there is no pressure to win gold, we will still play to the best of our abilities. Believe in us!” he said during a final training session at Ho Chi Minh City’s Thong Nhat Stadium.

Vietnam, since its premier 52 years ago in Thailand, has yet to triumph at the SEA Games.

The national squad has been promised US$1 million if it wins this year’s event.