Rieldl says needs men not boys to take Vietnam to semis

BANGKOK, July 20 (Reuters) Vietnam coach Alfred Rieldl says his young team must come of age against Iraq tomorrow to stand any chance of reaching the Asian Cup semi-finals.

The Austrian says there is no room for fear and his players must stand up to bigger and stronger opposition.

''I don't see many weaknesses in the Iraqi team, but we must deal with this,'' Riedl told a news conference today.

''We can't be afraid. We don't need small boys, we need men who will go out and win a match.'' Rieldl said his team, whose average age is 23, had a chance to show their mettle in one of the biggest matches in the country's soccer history.

''Even when they are 23, they are men, not boys,'' he said.

''Sometimes, it is good to put young players in the team and show what they can do in important matches. Stars are born in these kind of matches.'' Making their first Asian Cup appearance in 47 years, Vietnam secured a 2-0 win over United Arab Emirates and a 1-1 draw with Qatar to earn enough points to reach the final eight.

Riedl, the former FC Metz, Standard Liege and Austria Vienna striker believes Vietnam can go even further if they work as a team.

''They must bring out their fighting spirit,'' he said.

''We need a good team performance and not just individuals, but if only one or two players are at their highest level, then we will have no chance.'' REUTERS BJR KP1757